4 February 2008
editorial
In our issue two weeks ago, we carried an article that announced the resignation of the Botswana National Front (BNF) elections board.
The party's publicity secretary, Moeti Mohwasa, at the time confirmed that the party leadership had received a resignation letter from all the four board members, Lebohang Letsie, Lopang Maphale, Justice Moilwa and Joba Nnoi.
However, the then board chairperson, Lebohang Letsie flatly told this newspaper that they have not resigned. "We have not resigned. There was only a difference of opinion. This is usual when people are passionate about their work".
That denial left many readers confused as to the true state of affairs at the main opposition party. Obviously, the readers did not know whom to believe between Mohwasa and Letsie.
Finally, late last week, Letsie came clean and admitted she was economical with truth when she responded to the Monitor inquiries. She also justifies her utterances at the time on respecting some organisational values.
"We have been soundly criticised for my denial of the resignation in the Monitor but it is a decision we stand by".
Letsie's defence does not seem to hold water, particularly coming from the public persona she is. The word of a public leader is supposed to be that of integrity. In fact, in Setswana, there is a saying to the effect that kgomo e tshwarwa ka lonaka fa motho ene a tshwarwa ka lefoko.
The resignation of the entire board of the main opposition party in the country is a matter of major national importance. This is for the simple reason that this could impact negatively on the democratic process of the country.
Ironically, in their recently released public statement, Letsie and her team accuse the BNF leadership, specifically the party's Central Committee, of lacking integrity and credibility. But we also feel the former board's initial denial raises questions of integrity and credibility on their part. If they can publicly deny their resignation only to retract two weeks later, how now is the public expected to believe the reasons they are advancing for walking out of the board. We shall never know whether this time they are telling the truth.
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