Khama must stop this unfair practice

Mmegi Editor | Thursday July 24, 2014 10:05

Therefore, they throng the venues where such meetings are held hoping to share their daily challenges with the chief executive of the republic. They put aside their political affiliations to meet their President to communicate their daily challenges. At least, that is what the public has been made to believe.

However, last week’s Francistown tour was the beginning of new things, as Khama stunned residents by openly campaigning for BDP parliamentary candidate, Sylvia Muzila.

To make matters worse, the state-owned Botswana Television announced in its news bulletin that Khama was accompanied by the area MP Wynter Mmolotsi. The Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) MP has denied the report. Mmolotsi has stated that he was not invited to Khama’s alleged Kgotla meeting, and was shunned when he tried to meet the President.

This state of affairs cannot be left unchallenged since Khama makes these walkabouts in his capacity as the President of the republic. The same can be said about his juniors in cabinet – ministers, whom we believe address Kgotla meetings in their capacity as public servants and not politicians. We caution that this practice has the potential to distort the outcome of this year’s general elections if there are no lines that differentiate the president’s official and BDP assignments. There should be a clear distinction when politicians are on government assignment and when they are dabbling in party politics. State resources should not be used to pursue partisan interests of a party.

It is also unethical for the government-owned Botswana Television to report misleading information to the public, or to allow itself to be used to spread lies to serve the ruling party. We speak with the full knowledge that this is not the first time the state broadcaster has been used by the ruling party to deceive the public. One example is when Gomolemo Motswaledi was dismissed from the BDP. Only the BDP voice was heard on government media while Motswaledi was given a black-out. More news has been censored by state media to make sure that the public is kept misinformed.

With elections approaching, we hold our breath for what the next lie will be, where it will be coming from, and how it will be executed. 

However, we hope that others are watching as the country that used to be a shining example of democracy allows itself to degenerate into a banana republic where those in power place themselves above the law.

                                                                       Today’s thought

                   “Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man’s character, give him power.”

 

                                                                    - Abraham Lincoln