Selebi-Phikwe — President Ian Khama will announce the date of the general elections when he dissolves Parliament on Friday, a cabinet minister has said.

Lands Minister and Selebi-Phikwe East MP, Nonofo Molefhi said during the launch of Ikageleng Phase Two councillor Lekang Mukokomani over the weekend that parties should not wait to know the election date to start campaigns.

He said that the parties should start preparations immediately after general elections because they know that polls are held in the country every five years.

The minister said the latest discovery of Foot and Mouth Disease in the Ngamiland area has hampered plans by the government to sponsor students for tertiary education because funds are needed to control the outbreak.

Veteran politician, Kebatlamang Morake said opposition parties are promising things that are not possible. He warned residents of Phase Two to be aware of empty promises by the opposition. He said the BDP has never promised Batswana things that it cannot deliver.

"If you want to lose your country, vote for the opposition because they are power hungry. Our country is regarded as the shining example of democracy in Africa but we also have our short- comings.

We accept that we are not 100% correct in all areas," Morake said. He explained that opposition unity will never work because the parties involved in it have got different principles. He stated that the opposition has even blamed the BDP for the economic down recession.

Selebi-Phikwe East constituency BDP chairperson, Tebogo Venson said party members must respect opposition parties. He said there are complaints against BDP members who threw stones at a house belonging to opposition members. He said such behaviour is unacceptable. He asserted that the constitution of the country allows the existence of opposition parties.

Mukokomani pleaded with residents of Phase Two to vote for him in October because he has proved himself as the chairperson of Selebi-Phikwe Umbrella Ward Development Committee. He explained that he has ideas that can improve the lives of the residents.

He said he is the one who came up with the idea of making money out of waste such as selling metals at scrap yards. Mukokomani will contest against Peggy Kenosi of the Botswana Congress Party (BCP) and Galefole Mokabiri of Botswana National Front (BNF).