Khama riding on the poor

Mmegi Editor | Wednesday March 19, 2014 13:51

As a former military commander, Khama does not think for a second to apply military tactics to rule Botswana. He also has the dreaded Directorate of Intelligence and Security(DIS) at his disposal to keep his opponents and imagined enemies in check and at bay. His tenure has brought to the fore a total disregard for procedure and rule of law.

The advice given by the Ombudsman against Khama’s penchant for flying military airplanes after his resignation from the army is a point of reference. As if it was not enough, when he assumed power, he has and continues to  preside over the executive that treats the autonomy of parliament with unprecedented contempt. Now the country has a toothless Parliament that is at the mercy of Khama and his cabinet. If Khama does not share an idea, he commands his party caucus to dismiss it. Submissive Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) MPs are not a match for Khama. His walkabouts and handshakes in remote and poverty trodden townships have diverted attention from the real socio-economic problems this country is undergoing under his watch. The vulnerable poor hopelessly see him as their Messiah.

The divisive Khama at the storm of the monumental public sector strike in 2011 professed that he was anti-workers but pro-unemployed. That was an irresponsible statement by the Head of State! Because of the vulnerability of the majority unemployed and poor Batswana, the President is severing a wedge between workers and the unemployed. As the president of this ‘union’, he is buying votes from the thousands of these economically challenged people. The politically unconscious masses can elect him their leader because he once gave them a freebie T-shirt or free food basket.

And the rest of the population is also to blame. The middle class is a disappointment as far as the politico-socio-economic destiny of this nation is concerned. This class of people is deliberately indifferent. It is not in doubt that we are now wallowing under the tyranny of an individual, and this individual is contemptuous of most things democratic. Only a few Batswana have refused to buy the Khama magic story. This is because they refuse to buy the story that Khama is the Messiah!

They understand that Khama represents his family and his close business associates in the tourism and mining industry. And the opposition  also have their portion of blame for this mess. While their shortcomings are understandable the opposition often lose their focus. The coming in of Khama seems to have found them off guard. They need to reenergise themselves and move fast to stop Khama in his tracks. Meanwhile Khama will take advantage of the poverty of the masses to stay in power.