Speaking in Parliament yesterday, he said that since the establishment of DIS last year, Batswana live in fear of their own government. He said that extra-judicial killings have become part of life in Botswana since President Ian Khama took over last year.
Saleshando said that when he opened the 10th Parliament, Khama called for a moment of silence to remember the dead. The MP wonders if those killed by state security agents were on the President's mind.
He cautioned that once the DIS realises that people are not happy with the killings, it will use other tricks such as organised fatal accidents and robberies targeting persons deemed to be anti-government. He warned that these have happened in countries where leaders do not want to hear dissenting voices. He expressed concern at the lack of an oversight institution to monitor DIS activities saying the tribunal that was set recently is a toothless body packed with ruling Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) activists.
Saleshando said that the current director-general of DIS, Colonel Isaac Kgosi cannot be entrusted with the security of the nation. He stated that Kgosi is inconsistent in the way he releases information to the public. The MP said the DIS boss does not know his jurisdiction. He accused Khama of appointing his close friends to positions of power even when they do not possess the right qualifications. He warned that nepotism will soon be the only qualification for people to be appointed to positions of power.
Saleshando accused government of trying to transfer the wealth of the nation into the hands of a few individuals, probably expatriates through privatisation. He said that many Batswana live in poverty while 20 percent of the population controls 80 percent of the economy. He stated that Parliament has not been consulted on the creation of hubs and some ministers do not know what they are about. "We just hope that the President and his Vice are taking us in the right direction," he said. He added that the recent elections have proved that the youth of the country really wanted to protect the education system from vultures who seek to enrich themselves.
Meanwhile Assistant Minister of Education, Keletso Rakhudu said that he supports a comprehensive review of the constitution. He told MPs to stop fighting among themselves over the issue, which procedurally should be done through a referendum. He said the nation should be consulted on the review because Parliament alone cannot carry out the exercise. Rakhudu said that he agrees with a call for legislation to protect people living with HIV/AIDS from discrimination.
