Cde Siphiwe Gaza
10 April 2008
opinion
Gaborone — I am unable to contain my frustration towards the current crop of leadership the government enclave.
You will recall that President Ian Khama is an alien in the philosophy of democracy. This is based on the premise that Khama is a chief. Chieftainship in terms of governance is in itself feudalistic, and in feudalism or monarchy there is no democracy because in those systems the word of a leader is the law. He is a soldier and in the barracks there is no criticism to the words of seniors, only orders, "discipline" and commands are the order of the day. What pains me most is the voting of the vice president. I had thought that parliament would endorse a more conversant person of Ponatshego Kedikilwe's calibre who is learned enough in democratic dispensation. I had thought that parliament would be wise enough to vote a civilian.
That has happened is like parliament endorsed that Botswana is ruled by Juntas and militias. Mostly the opposition baffles me. I know that BDP are the majority in parliament but what is important is that the opposition could have voted a different person even though we know that they would lose, at least they could have given Batswana an opportunity to see how they think but instead some voted with BDP MP's. Some either abstained or made spoils when voting. How can people who have been elected by the people prefer to be fence sitters?
These are results of those who lead the opposition, particularly Moupo. I wonder whether opposition MPs caucused before the election. Botswana is in a predicament. The opposition in Botswana does not have any voice distinct from the BDP except maybe Magama, Saleshando and Modubule the rest are BDP members disguising by wearing opposition blankets. When legal experts advise us about the unconstitutionality of automatic succession I had thought that Moupo, as a lawyer and an MP, would carry the war to parliament or make an urgent application to court to seek legal interpretation but he just froze like an ice block.
What a shame on a leader who cannot guide his subordinates. It is evident that some BNF MPs voted with the BDP. This in itself is a contradiction because recently Cede Magma tabled a motion, which purported to be against automatic succession, but by voting with the BDP was an admission that the BNF is in agreement with automatic succession. Moupo has a tendency to write letters to the Editor instead of debating in parliament. He did that when he had failed to debate the budget speech and recently after he voted Merafhe he wrote again a letter to the editor trying to perceive himself as a smart person. What are you doing in parliament?
If the BNF is not supporting automatic succession why did they not vote NO when the president proposed Merafhe's name. It is a clear sign of lack of guidance by Moupo. I would like to advice him that it is high time he steps down because to go with him to general election will be a way of signing BNF death warrant. The BNF members are tired of you. That is why they cannot defend you even in the media. I think you have realized that, that is why nowadays you choose to defend yourself in the media. You have been elected to debate in parliament not through letters to the editor. Moupo's conscience is questionable because he subjects BNF to ridicule. Even trade unions are very much concerned about him but he clings to power rather than stepping down. On the 5th and 6th April 2008 you held a meeting with youth league, women's league and other party structures. Your message at that meeting was that you are going to expel Cde Magama, Cde Tafa, Cde B. Molatlhegi (Bucks), Cde Modubule, and Cde Dr Monageng Mogalakwe.
We have heard that you claim that these comrades when they ask your leadership credentials you term that as a sign of indiscipline. Are they not entitled to ask or question matters of their organization? Personally I want to warn you that if your dream of expelling these comrades from the BNF is going to be successful, know that you have expelled us also because we do not know their misdeeds. What we know is that the only problem in the BNF is Moupo. We know that you and your committee of sycophants will be crisis crossing this country preaching this message of expelling comrades from the party in preparation of the coming Leadership forum.
I would like to warn you again that these thinking of yours make sure that it won't be a sword or knife that will end your political career because if you play these traitors games BNF members might expel you because you will have gone too far, you will have crossed the line.
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