Retired soldiers dismiss Masisi's address as political gimmick
Sharon Mathala | Monday September 11, 2023 15:55
The members of a Re itshekeng (ARI) Social Club, a temporary and apolitical social club stated at a press conference this morning that when addressing a Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) extraordinary congress in Palapye the President made some misleading "as well as scathing remarks".
"We wish go put it on record that His Excellency has always been aware of the pension grievances of the military retirees and how they also affected those that are serving in the BDF. This is the reason why in the build up to the 2019 General Election, the President while addessing the troops in the BDF garrison promised them that he wants to take their Net Replacement Ratio (NRR) to 75% or better. It is unfortunate that this promise remains unfulfilled to date, " said retired Brigadier Shadrack Moloi on behalf of the members.
The members further said to their shock, prior to the President's remarks, his brother retired Brigafier Thulaganyo Masisi shared a post on social media to the effect that the retired soldiers were in talks with government and that negotiations were at advanced stage, " it is against this backdrop that we wish to correct the factual inaccurancies of his Excellency."
The members said in fact, it's not true following their meeting with the President during the 2019 polls, Masisi had asked them to give him more time as he was engaged with the campaign.
They said, " It would have been naive of us to accept this view without any guarantee for its action accordingly. "
The statement further reads: "While it is true that he (Masisi) said he was looking forward to engaging with us, the newly elected BDFRMA office bearers, are simply doing the opposite"
The members further said former president Ian Khama was never a part of the Defence Council as alluded to in some quarters.
Further, the members indicated that they have been cautioned to leave matters before the courts of law. They find it surprising to hear the President publicly discussing their case at a BDP congress. They wondered if the Executive has now usurped the powers of the Judiciary.