Boko-Saleshando feud at boiling point
Mompati Tlhankane | Monday February 6, 2023 06:00
There is no more sugarcoating. The rules of engagement have changed between the once-close allies now turned foes as they have taken the fight to each other’s doorsteps.
Boko entered Saleshando’s den in Maun West a day before Saleshando addressed his constituents on the other side of the village. This was the first time the two antagonists held events in the same place and weekend after jabbing each other from a distance most of last year. It was not the first time the two took direct aims at each other.
There was a series of punches last year except they were not as personal as were in Maun. The feud that has bubbled up between Boko and Saleshando broke into public view last year when the two leaders could not agree on governance issues within the UDC.
For Saleshando, the presence of Boko and the UDC in his constituency looked to damage his support in Maun and further harm his image as the Messiah of the people of Ngamiland who continue to face various challenges.
But on Saturday as the UDC held its rally in the afternoon, Saleshando did some counter-programming of his own as he hosted a medical outreach for Maun residents that morning and many people turned up, especially adults. The former Gaborone Central legislator decided not to underestimate Boko and the UDC presence at his own peril.
Speaking of Boko, it was some remarks made at the rally which riled up Saleshando and the entire BCP members as they felt Boko was taking digs at them. “I started with the UDC from the onset and I have fought and been scarred by attacks from enemies outside and those from within,” Boko said in Maun.
Boko on Saturday said they started in 2010 and some left them on the way. When the UDC was formed, the BCP pulled out of the negotiations leaving the trio of the BNF, the Botswana Movement for Democracy (BMD) and the Botswana People’s Party (BPP) to successfully register the coalition.
Boko also pointed out that the UDC fought all the way to the courts of law as others abandoned them and hid behind closed doors. After losing the 2019 General Election, Boko led elections petitions and accused the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) of rigging the 2019 General Election. The case was dismissed by the Court of Appeal (CoA) and at the time, Saleshando who was Boko’s right-hand man, was nowhere near the petitions, something which is said to have angered Boko.
Boko in Maun said the UDC has been through a thorny journey and some people cannot endure it if they are bought with tenders. “This is a difficult path and you cannot beat it if you are bought with tenders. Some of us have been bought and sent to break the UDC apart. I can assure you that no one can break the UDC apart,” he said.
The utterances by Boko inflamed Saleshando who was visibly annoyed as he addressed the BCP members. The words that some people are paid by the ruling party to break apart the coalition spurred Saleshando into getting angrier and more activated.
“There is a politician who doesn’t know how to vote for anyone. He saw the ballot paper for the first time when he voted for himself. O kgona gore nna ke tsene mo dipolotiking go tla go ja di-tendara, wa tlhola (he has the boldness to say that I got into politics to benefit from government tenders, he is being sinister,” Saleshando added.
Saleshando said looking at what he has done for Batswana during his time in Parliament, there is no way he could have been bought by the ruling BDP. “There is an issue that was said by the UDC leader yesterday when he said some people have been given tenders to break the UDC apart. He was indirectly referring to me,” Saleshando further told the BCP members.
He said Boko should know better than to spread lies about him because he (Boko) was trained as a lawyer and is supposed to bring up some matter only when there is evidence. Saleshando said ‘Masisinyana’, as he referred Boko, took a decision to spread misinformation.
“If there is a tender I have benefited from the government they could have brought it forward for everyone to see. I have never at any time even asked for tender forms. My wife Dineo Saleshando has never benefited from a government tender, it is a decision we have taken as a family. We denied ourselves this right because we want to focus on national issues without any distraction. Those who were at the UDC rally should tell Boko that petty issues and driving all the way from Gaborone to spread lies will one day catch up with him,” Saleshando warned.
He said nobody should be shocked to hear the BDP members disclosing Boko’s government tenders. “Stop spreading lies Masisi and Masisinyana,” he said.
Contacted for comment on Boko’s remarks in Maun and whether he was referring to Saleshando, UDC spokesperson Moeti Mohwasa said they were not into the business of discussing individuals.
“It is common knowledge that the BDP has always destabilised the opposition even before Saleshando and some of us were born. So the statement cannot be interpreted as referring to Saleshando. If someone felt it referred to him then it would be best you talk to that person. Boko made a general statement,” Mohwasa said.