Rammidi must stop attacks on Moupo, BNF

| Wednesday June 25, 2008 00:00

Some of his bootlickers such as Mac Donald Peloetletse barked at me and said am 'disrespectful'.

The recent forced apology on the honourable Botsalo Ntuane by the BDP central committee spearheaded by Ian Khama vindicates my argument beyond any reasonable doubt. It is imperative to note that Ian Khama is a soldier and the hallmark of military discipline include curtailment of dissent, limited freedom of expression controlled and restricted debate.

Ntuane was just articulating his view on the liquor regulations which was - already in the public domain as an MP not on behalf of BDP or government and as a youthful MP, the nation expect him to hold strong views on matters that concern the youth. Ntuane's position on the controversial liquor regulations is not a secret as he even sponsored a motion in parliament in condemnation of the liquor regulations and I suppose he has made his point clear (Lefoko ga le boe go boa monwana).

I concur with Ntuane wherein he says 'Botswana is turning into a fundamenta1ist state, just like Iran and Saudi Arabia where people are told when to sleep, what music to listen to and what movies to watch,' thanks to Ian Khama! Ntuane's utterances are a true reflection of what this country is turning into. The forced apology on Ntuane proves beyond any doubt that Ian Khama holds freedom of speech in absolute contempt and that he is a man determined to silence any dissenting voice in the BDP. Why has Khama become so intolerant of other people's views'? It is not only Botsalo, there are many BDP members who are very virulent about Khama, unfortunately they have sworn to die in silence in  order to protect their political ambitions. As expected and anticipated, it was quite obvious that there would be a barrage of attacks on Ntuane and baseless defence of Khama by the latter's bootlickers and praise-poets. Even though it is not my nature to respond to such misguided characters, the outrageous allegations by an unscrupulous sycophant by the name of Kentse Rammidi in Mmegi of 13 June 2008 cannot go unchallenged. Instead of discussing the issue on Botsalo's forced apology, Rammidi overloads his essay by unnecessarily castigating the BNF and our leader Comrade Moupo.
He maliciously alleges that 'BNF is an undisciplined party because of the misguided principle of Puo Phaa.' He also alleges that there is 'anarchy and lawlessness'. He lastly contends that 'whereas in the BNF, they would expel, suspend and sideline that who does not agree with the leadership'. A point-to-point rebuttal will be very essential. Needless to mention that we in the BNF accept criticism and debate as integral components of a democratic political culture which we greatly value but we object to unfounded and preposterous attacks against our movement and its leadership, deliberate distortion and misrepresentation.

Had Rammidi and some political pundits cared to check the BNF constitution which guides us or its code of discipline clause 4.11 and 4.14 which stipulates that divulging party secrets to non-members or any unauthorised person and dissemination of information on party internal matters to the public media organisations or individuals without proper authority respectfully is an offence, am certain they could have not made such outrageous and unsubstantiated allegations.

Rammidi seems to be suffering from a memory lapse, and has forgotten that not a while ago, it was BDP that expelled its councillors in South East District. As such, his schoolboy remarks that if it was at the BNF, Ntuane could have been expelled does not hold water. It is a matter of fact that the A-Team (Khama/Mogae faction) led central committee's main objective was to expel Ntuane from the party (Sunday standard newspaper 08-15 June 2008) with calling either for a summary expulsion or suspension pending investigations. A few called for calm, warning against plunging the party into an avoidable public relations crisis.

Rammidi contends that only those who are not members of BDP and do not subscribe to its constitution will call our president all kinds of unkind names for enforcing the laws of the party, look who is talking! On several occasions it is him (Rammidi) who calls our leader unkind names such as 'hypocritical', 'embattled'. What a contradiction! Rammidi is indeed a hypocrite whose endeavour is to try and please Khama for nominating him to council via the back door after being humiliated by the BNF. And he is awaiting another heavy defeat. It is true, you cannot bite the hand that feeds you.

It is very unfortunate that Rammidi can remark that there is 'lawlessness' at the BNF while he knows that it never rains but pours at the BDP. I herein provide a brief newspaper headlines about the faction-ridden BDP:

* BDP members sue each other for alleged defamation (Mmegi 13 June 2008)
* Democrats exploit admin loopholes-mirror 14 - 20 May 2008
* Mad scramble for BDP candidacy (allegations of names being removed from the voters' rolls and replaced with other -Gazette 14-20 May 2008.

Plot to oust PHK foiled -Mirror 11-17 June 2008(It is alleged that Kefentse Mzwinilla is canvassing support from BNF members to vote for him against Ponatshego Kedikilwe. The nation should not be amazed as Rammidi and his cronies are all out to annihilate the people aligned to the Barata Phati faction and they will do anything possible to make them lose in the upcoming primary elections.

Arafat K. Khan
MOLEPOLOLE