Patricia Maganu
14 September 2009
Francistown — Fresh from his High Court victory against suspended Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) Secretary General, Gomolemo Motswaledi, President Ian Khama has reiterated that he will not tolerate indiscipline in the ruling party.
He told a roaring crowd in Francistown that he will continue to discipline those who choose to work against the party and put an end to factions. "When I am still the president of the party, we have to work together or if I am not doing something right, you can simply come to me but if you choose to take your president to court, then there is a problem," he said.
He stated that the BDP is faced with a problem of people who did not want to support him as the party president despite the agreement that was made in Kanye. "The resolution was made in Kanye that people should support the party leader. I am going to discipline those who do not want to do things the right way just like a parent disciplines their children," he warned.
He attacked BDP members who have decided to contest elections as independent candidates (mekoko) saying that they are like headless chickens. He said that they lack maturity and that is why they cannot handle losing primary elections. "As soon as they lose, they forget that they are BDP members and they take it personal and start revenging," he said.
He discouraged voting for independent candidates saying they are hungry for power. He said the candidates will not be allowed back to the BDP even if they win elections because of a new party policy. "If you are an independent candidate, you will not be able to come back to the BDP because we have agreed that people who leave the party in such a manner can only come back in five years," he said. He stated that the independent candidates will not be eligible to participate in the primaries for 2014 elections. He said that voters should be careful because the independents cannot do anything for them. "O tla a go thusa ka eng ka o nosi hela (How will he help you when he is just alone). He does not have a party. Even the opposition is better because it is a party. He cannot even be a minister," he stated. He asserted that independent candidates are fumbling all over the place and do not know what they are doing. He said that people should learn to support the party, whether they win or lose.
Read comments. Write your own.
Copyright © 2009 Mmegi/The Reporter. All rights reserved. Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com). To contact the copyright holder directly for corrections — or for permission to republish or make other authorized use of this material, click here.
AllAfrica aggregates and indexes content from over 125 African news organizations, plus more than 200 other sources, who are responsible for their own reporting and views. Articles and commentaries that identify allAfrica.com as the publisher are produced or commissioned by AllAfrica.
Ian Khama has been AGAIN OVERSENSITIVE!
In a REAL democracy EVERY CITIZEN HAS THE RIGHT TO FILE A COMPLAINT
TO EVERY COURT AS LONG AS H/SHE HAS A STANDING TO SUE,
dear Mr.Khama!
Motswaledi "did NOT take you to the court or to the dry cleaner!"...
He SIMPLY EXERCISED his rights ac.to the Botswana Constitution.
AND JUST BECAUSE ONE PERSON OF YOUR OWN PARTY CRITICISES YOUR
DECISIONS,
DOES NOT MEAN THAT THIS PERSON DOES NOT SUPPORT YOU!
Ian Khama you act like a LITTLE,SPOILED CHILD,thinking:
"Who criticises my behaviour, DOES NOT LOVE ME!"
HEY,EXACTLY THE PEOPLE WHO CRITICISE YOUR BEHAVIOUR AND
TELL YOU THE TRUTH STRAIGHT INTO YOUR EYES...
THOSE ARE YOUR REAL FRIENDS,dear Mr.Khama!
NOT THOSE WHO ARE LICKING YOUR BOOTS JUST BECAUSE YOU ARE
THEIR BOSS!
WHY IS KHAMA SOOOOOOOOOOOOO much concerned with the indipendant candidates?
He should worry,that alot of electorate will jump ship and support other parties than BDP,
WHICH IS ANYTHING ELSE BUT DEMOCRATIC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
If Botswana Democratic Party think it is DEMOCRATIC,when ONE,JUST ONE
power obsessed person decides the destiny of it's members,then BDP ought
to look in Oxfords Dictionary and find the meaningof "DEMOCRACY"!
Of course,the judges at the HIGH COURT will decide in favor of Ian Khama!
We,in Germany say:"WESSEN BROT ICH ESSE,DESEN LIED ICH SINGE!"
In English:"WHO's BREAD I EAT,HIS SONG I SING!"
In Botswana Ian Khama is the Government;Ian Khama makes ALL decisions in BDP...
WHAT FOR YOU NEED A NATIONAL ASSEMBLY AT ALL?
DISOLVE IT...and turn into another African Banana Republic!