'Saleshando was already failing as LoO'
Mompati Tlhankane | Wednesday September 28, 2022 15:51
The LoO is the official spokesperson of the majority opposition party in Parliament. Selebi-Phikwe West legislator, Dithapelo Keorapetse replaced Saleshando when he was ousted as LoO in Parliament in July.
Speaking during a UDC National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting with constituents on Saturday in Phikwe, Boko said opposition Members of Parliament (MPs) were dissatisfied with the way Saleshando was leading in Parliament. Boko added that MPs aired their concerns during their meeting with the UDC NEC shortly after Saleshando and BCP secretary-general Goretetse Kekgonegile were suspended in July. “MPs had their complaints over Saleshando’s leadership and the NEC advised them to use their power as the UDC caucus to make their own decisions.
The UDC's then caucus decided right there that they want a new LoO,” he revealed.
Boko, who also doubles as the Botswana National Front (BNF) president, said the MPs indicated that they had problems and challenges with the Maun West legislator. Boko further said the MPs emphasised that Saleshando was failing to unite the UDC caucus.
“MPs were failing to meet and there was a lot of individualism in Parliament. Legislators showed that this has been going on since the beginning of the 12th Parliament,” Boko disclosed. He added the MPs felt that the former Gaborone Central MP was not running things properly hence their decision to replace him with Keorapetse. Boko indicated that Keorapetse as the new LoO knows that he is the spokesperson and face of the UDC in Parliament. He said if Keorapetse repeats what Saleshando did he will suffer the same fate.
“You can’t represent UDC in Parley only for you to come back and insult the same organisation you're supposed to be standing for,” he added. Boko also indicated that the LoO is a job that comes with the UDC, therefore, it is not suitable for one to tarnish and belittle the coalition when they are supposed to be the face of it. Boko said he believes Keorapetse unlike Saleshando knows the procedure and cannot derail from the process.
Before being ousted, Saleshando had been the LoO since 2019 and it is a position that he once held between 2012 and 2014 after the then LoO, Botsalo Ntuane made history as the first in the country to defect to the ruling party. Saleshando is now the first LoO in history to be removed by a parliamentary caucus.