• BMC records a P87,5 million loss in 2009
• Minister de Graaff exempts CEO from 3 months notice

BG reporter

Today (Friday) marks the last day of Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Botswana Meat Commission, Dr. Motshudi Raborokgwe, at the Lobatse-based company.
As he clears his office today, there is a strong apprehension that Raborokgwe may not have left over 20 years of public service of his own volition. Lending credence to this foreboding is the fact that not long ago, the Molepolole-born man had sworn in an interview with BG News to serve the full term of his contract with BMC until 2012. Worse still, it would appear even Minister Christian de Graaff was much eager to see the last of Raborokgwe, as he excused him from serving the three months notice. Raborokgwe wrote to this publication late Wednesday indicating that the minister had accepted his resignation and not required him to serve the three months notice.
It is speculated that the loss the corporation recorded in its 2009 financial results may have had something to do with his leaving. Results for the year ended December 2009, show that the company made a loss of P87, 5 million. Raborokgwe said the deficit had been recorded after a tax remission of P24, 8 million from Botswana government and before appropriation to the reserves.
Yet others speculate that the chief executive wanted greener pastures and a better paying job. Contacted for comment on these, Raborokgwe declined to state reasons for his resignation. “I am still an employee of BMC and it would be inappropriate for me to do so,” he said Wednesday afternoon.
However, on a lighter note Raborokgwe admitted his stay at the meat paratstal; had been fascinating. “I enjoyed working with all my staff members at all our operations,” he said. BMC has offices in Botswana and the United Kingdom. He said his last day in office is 30 July 2010. “I will be handing over to Mr. Sonny Molapisi, the current general manager in charge of marketing who would hold the fort until a new CEO is identified,” said the letter signed by Raborokgwe.
Under his leadership BMC introduced a number of initiatives, such as the establishment of BMC offices in Molepolole, Letlhakane, Gantsi and Tsabong where farmers can arrange transport facilities and other related works without necessarily going to BMC in Lobatse or Francistown. He also introduced feedlots in Lobatse and Fracistown to support weaner production. These initiatives have resulted in the slaughtering of 55 000 cattle in the first four months of 2010 as compared to 31 000 last year. Raborokgwe has also supported government efforts to amend the BMC Act, which has been in place since 1965. Unlike other companies, BMC, a statutory monopoly is taxed on turnover. “We want to be taxed on profit,” he said.
What would he do with his experience?  “I am going to my farm,” he revealed. He has been working on contract basis.