1.  The Ministry of Defence, Justice and Security

wishes to respond to the article published by the

Mmegi Monitor dated Monday 29th April 2013,

and titled Ndelu’ s Ministry Concludes P200M

Deal Without Tendering by MONKAGEDI

GAOTLHOBOGWE in reference to the Ministry’s

intention to move offices.

2.   It is incorrect that the Ministry of Defence Justice

and Security concluded procurement of office

accommodation, partitioning and customization

without tendering. The tender for procurement of

office accommodation was Tender No: PR21/1/1/11

– I dated 12/12/12 and 18/12/12. Contrary to the

assertion by the writer that multi-million security

works were done on site, the Ministry wishes to put

on record that no such works were done, and such

works were never put out to tender.

3.   It is also ridiculously misleading and dishonest for

the writer to state that the “Ministry of Defence did

not disclose the names of the property company

they are doing business with” to PPADB. The

writer should have seen that the Botswana Daily

Newspaper of 17th January 2013 includes this

information.

4.   The Ministry maintains that the building it currently

occupies does not meet its requirements in terms

of space and security, and it would be in the best

interest of the Ministry to find the best value for

money office accommodation. Needless to say

that the Ministry does not occupy the entire wing of

the Square Building but shares the same with the

landlord offices and two private restaurants.

5.    Finally, the Ministry of Defence Justice and

Security as the beneficiary has not signed a lease

nor authorized signing of any lease pertaining to

procurement of the said accommodation.

6.   The article as written, particularly the title, ‘Ndelu’s

Ministry concludes P200M Deal without

Tendering’ is therefore untrue, misleading and

casts negative aspersions on the integrity of the

Ministry of Defence Justice and Security.