Hooliganism And Lobatse Mayor
Correspondent | Monday March 3, 2014 15:08
The trouble started after two of her trusted political allies, Shana Sebinyana and Kopi Moderida defected from the ruling Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) and joined the growing Botswana Congress Party (BCP). She is said to have chased the two individuals, verbally assaulted them, confiscated and tore their BCP materials.
This behaviour by someone of the status of Mayor must be condemned in the strongest terms possible. She is an embarrassment to the residents of Lobatse. The BDP must also be embarrassed that it has within their senior ranks a person who is capable of stooping so low. Lesang has displayed political intolerance that is uncharacteristic of the Botswana politics. This kind of political hooliganism must never be allowed to become part of our political culture.
At another level it shows a new trend of political intolerance that is slowly but surely creeping into our body politik. Recently we were shocked to learn that President Ian Khama boycotted the swearing in of Dr Habaudi Hubona, the first female Member of Parliament from the opposition. If Khama thought he was snubbing Hubona or the BCP he must think again.
He was actually snubbing the women of this country and all those who have worked tirelessly to ensure that women in Botswana become part of the political decision-making process.
The timing of Lesang’s outburst was bad in that it came at a time when Hubona had raised the flag for the women’s movement in Botswana. The country was still in a celebratory mood and Lesang spoiled the party.
During the BDP primary elections there were frequent reports of verbal and physical confrontations, as well as kicking of ballot boxes resulting in re-runs of primary elections. This could be a rehearsal of nastier things to come during the general elections. With this level of intra-party political intolerance the country should brace itself for heightened inter-party political skirmishes that can easily turn violent. What is surprising is that the perpetrators of such unbecoming conduct were never made to account for their wayward behaviour.
The last thing a political leader would want to do is to crucify people for exercising their democratic rights. The freedom of choice and that of association are central to a democratic dispensation. Anti-democratic tendencies must not be allowed to derail us from our democratic path. Political leaders must not allow their greed for power to lose sight of the bigger picture. It is critical that the rights of individuals are protected irrespective of one’s socio-economic and political status.
Over the years BDP functionaries have propagated the view that there will be conflict and chaos if opposition parties were elected into power. We always wondered why a victorious opposition party would resort to violence when they have been given the ultimate trophy, the mandate to govern this country.
We are becoming increasingly suspicious that the ruling party might not be prepared to be the opposition in the event that they lost elections. Instead they might resort to political violence to make the country ungovernable, crying, “Ga re amogele maduo” (we don’t accept the election results).
The victims of the verbal abuse by Lesang must be commended for exercising restraint in the midst of unprovoked attack. They have demonstrated the kind of discipline that will take them far in their political and other endeavours. The BCP is glad to have persons of their calibre in their ever-growing membership. Their good behaviour is consistent with the BCP core values of Integrity and Botho. Viva Shana Sebinyana Viva! Viva Kopi Moderida Viva!
*Gobotswang is the BCP’s Vice-President