More worrying signs of dictatorship

Mmegi Editor | Wednesday April 23, 2014 10:48

It has been proven that once left unchecked, the executive turns into a dictatorship and kills democracy. We do not have to look far, since our continent is awash with the historical ills of an unchecked and over powerful executive.

In Botswana, a country that was at some point labelled a shining example of democracy, dictatorship is creeping in. The people have become spectators as the country is run by one man and his clique, who has little respect for the law. At the end of his first term, it is now clear what type of leader President Ian Khama is.

When he was sworn in on April 2008, he pledged allegiance to the Constitution of this great republic. In just six years, he has forgotten that pledge and he has become a ‘know it all’ leader who cares less about laws.

The recent appointment of an extra- minister, exceeding the prescribed limit of 16 is a good example why Batswana should worry.

The President’s disregard for the Bargaining Council, established by law, is another good example of trouble ahead. You think that is enough? The President is now using ‘powers’ granted by the Constitution he disregards, to stop members of another arm of government from participating in regional assignments.

Mind you, this is the very Constitution for which amendment, the President trashed with least consideration.  Now that the man is in full control of the executive, where only his friends and family are put in highest positions; he wants to expand his ‘empire’. It is also common knowledge that, though they deny it, the judiciary is not as fully independent from Khama as it is supposed to be in a democratic setup.

We call upon Batswana to reject any gestures by the President to try and control the National Assembly, which is the only body that should represent the voice of the people. We call on the Speaker of the National Assembly, and her MPs to stand up and curtail this Tsunami of a dictatorship before it is too late.

We trust that there are still men and women in the august House who still have the conscience to make good judgment when the chips are down. To you Mr President, we remind you that; “The People shall remember in October”.

                                                                     Today’s thought

                                          When dictatorship is a fact, revolution becomes a right.

 

                                                                       -Victor Hugo