The resolution said government should be “compelled to disclose to the nation, the truth about their activities or lack thereof, concerning allegations that the government is harbouring weapons of mass destruction in this country”. It was pushed by Selebi Phikwe West and seconded by Kanye North constituency. BNF president, Otswelestse Moupo, had earlier alluded to the same issue when officiating in the opening of the conference, saying that the party viewed “these reports seriously and would conduct further investigations”.
The conference resolved to press government to introduce minimum wages for workers who provide domestic and agricultural services. The party resolved to embark on mass action with its allies and organs of civil society on August 24, 2004 to “deliver a petition against (BDP) - the Botswana Democratic Party - corruption, as manifested in the misuse of Btv for BDP campaigns, land issue and other issues of national concern”.
The conference endorsed the party’s decision to snub an All Party meeting scheduled for July 27 and all subsequent ones, “until the BDP can invite contributions to the agenda before the meeting, avail records on previous meetings, present justification for non-acceptance of All Party Conference resolutions”.
The BNF decided that members who fail to honour their contractual obligations with the party by launching court action, should face disciplinary action, including expulsion after the conclusion of the court cases. The conference instituted a task force to look into the size of the Central Committee as well as the party’s administrative tools such as the regulations for its elections, code of conduct and meetings.
Moupo enjoined the party members to pronounce on the controversial relocation of the Basarwa from the CKGR. He said the issue once again brought into sharp focus the BDP government’s approach to the national question or issue of ethnic minorities in the country.
Moupo said Basarwa constitute one of the most oppressed and marginalised communities in the country and their integration into the mainstream of national development has to be carefully calculated, planned and sensitive to their specific conditions and needs and must never be forced upon them from the top.
“Even with the best intentions, the eviction of the Basarwa from the CKGR is insensitive and cruel, especially when combined with such ruthless methods as withdrawal of vital services like water supply, food rations and old age pensions,” he said.
He singled out AIDS as the most serious social crisis facing the nation. He added that the BDP failed to deliver on its electoral promise to arrest the AIDS spread.
He said the government has failed to link the anti-AIDS campaign with a comprehensive plan for the eradication of poverty, gender inequality and other socio-economic ills.
