UDC rally sparks public backlash
Tsaone Basimanebotlhe | Tuesday May 26, 2026 10:51
The rally, held on Saturday, was expected to strengthen the ruling coalition’s growing presence in the constituency ahead of the 2029 General Election.
The event was well attended, featured a long list of speakers and was organised with visible energy and confidence. Party members celebrated what they described as growing support in the area, including the welcoming of more than 50 new members into the coalition.
The UDC also officially opened a new office, complete with a vehicle, a development party leaders described as a sign that the coalition was now firmly planting its roots in Selebi-Phikwe East.
However, despite the positive developments, the rally was quickly overshadowed by controversy after some speeches touched on highly sensitive national issues, particularly the ongoing shortage of medicines in public hospitals and clinics.
Instead of leaving residents inspired, portions of the speeches sparked criticism on social media, where many accused some speakers of appearing insensitive to the struggles faced by ordinary Batswana.
Tlokweng Member of Parliament Phenyo Segokgo attempted to assure the audience that government was addressing the crisis.
“Parliament has approved P3 billion for medicines. Soon, hospitals and clinics will be fully stocked with medicines,” he said.
Whilst the statement appeared intended to calm concerns, many online commentators interpreted it differently, arguing that citizens were tired of promises whilst patients continue to suffer due to shortages of essential medication in health facilities across the country.
Charleshill legislator, Motsamai Motsamai, also addressed the issue, acknowledging the seriousness of the crisis.
“We are aware of the shortage of medicines and that people are dying. “Our Minister of Health has travelled outside the country to engage suppliers,” he said.
Motsamai went further and accused some members of the opposition, particularly those from the ruling Botswana Democratic Party (BDP), of previously benefitting from corrupt procurement networks linked to medicine supply tenders.
“The reason some BDP members are crying is because we stopped some of the channels they were using to milk the country through medicine procurement,” he said.
However, his remarks divided opinion, with some supporters applauding the Members of Parliament (MPs) for speaking openly about corruption, whilst critics argued that politicians were turning a painful health crisis into a political battlefield instead of providing immediate solutions.
Another moment that drew a strong reaction came from Lobatse Member of Parliament, Karmal Jacobs, who spoke about ritual murders and abuse of power.
“We have enacted a law that anyone found with human body parts must face the law. Gompieno ga re jelwe bana, batho ba batla go nna di minister,” Jacobs said.
His comments quickly became one of the most discussed on Facebook, with some people agreeing with his concerns about ritual killings.
However, others questioned the appropriateness of such remarks at a political event intended to attract new supporters.
Still at the rally, MP for Mmadinare, Ketlhalefile Motshegwa, said the government will be assisting those who have children under one year with P300, backdating it from April.
He, however, said they must not spend much time at the bars, but rather they should increase the population.
By Sunday, social media platforms were flooded with debate over the rally, with clips and quotes from the speeches circulating widely.
Some commentators accused the UDC leadership of failing to control messaging at a crucial political moment, whilst others defended the speakers, arguing that they were merely addressing realities affecting the country.