Bame Piet
6 July 2009
Member of Parliament for Gaborone West South, Robert Molefhabangwe, on Friday entertained fellow MPs when he labelled the leader of Botswana National Front, Otsweletse Moupo, a person who cannot be trusted, and who also lacks self-confidence.
The MP was debating a motion tabled by Moupo two weeks ago requesting government to decentralise and devolve power to local authorities and give them administrative and financial capacity.
For 10 minutes, Molefhabangwe repeatedly told amused MPs that he has problems with the mover of the motion but not its content.
"The motion is a noble idea but the only problem I have is the person who has tabled it. It is difficult to trust that what he is saying here is exactly what he means," he said.
This prompted Speaker, Thebe Mogami, to intervene saying it was clear that Molefhabangwe was attacking Moupo's personal character and ordered him to desist from doing that. The warning did not seem to sink, compelling Mogami to issue yet another warning to Molefhabangwe.
Molefhabangwe, recently fired from the party, continued with his debate complying with the Speaker's orders. He dismissed earlier comment by Tonota South MP, Pono Moatlhodi, who rejected the motion saying he is happy with service delivery at councils.
Moatlhodi said the Gaborone City Council is failing because it is led by BNF councillors. Moatlhodi also revealed that the GCC is owed P73million in rates that the council has failed to collect. He said the money could be used for development of the city.
Molefhabangwe described Moatlhodi as a hypocrite who usually complains about poor service delivery but only rejects the motion because it is from an opposition MP. He dismissed other claims by Moatlhodi that pit latrines were only found in Gaborone because the GCC is failing.
Molefhabangwe stated that other towns such as Lobatse, Selebi-Phikwe and Francistown also has pit latrines and they are under BDP control. He said councils are not autonomous and that was exactly what the motion was calling for.
MP for Selebi-Phikwe West, Kavis Kario, also rejected the motion saying it was an attempt by Moupo to redeem his dented political career. He said that the government is already trying to give powers to the councils.
Kario said Moupo deserves not to be in Parliament and got there through the 'Vote Moupo' headline in 2005. He said the motion was politically motivated.
Local Government Minister, Ambrose Masalila, also rejected the motion, saying all councils have power.
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