MISA responds to statement

| Thursday August 21, 2014 11:38

 

On the face of the statement, the above-mentioned organisations form what the statement calls Botswana Civil Society. MISA Botswana is not aware of an organisation called Civil Society, nor is it a member or affiliate of it as alleged by the statement.

MISA Botswana is “deeply concerned” and “extremely disappointed” that the unsigned statement purports that it is part of the said concerned and disappointed organisations when, as a matter of fact, it never agreed to the issuance of, and the contents of the statement referred above. Thus, MISA Botswana distances itself from the said statement. Had MISA  been part of such a statement, it would have envisaged that intention by signing the statement.

Besides, given that attacking a political party or a church or any other organisation is a sensitive matter, the Chairperson and National Director of MISA Botswana would have called upon other members of the Board of Trustees of MISA Botswana (the directors) to consider and resolve on such issues before public. This is consistent with the culture and laws of this organisation. The issues contained in the statement referred to above have never been discussed by the Board of MISA Botswana for purposes of resolution and, so, MISA Botswana cannot lawfully be part of a statement which, one, is not signed for, and, two, has not been made by way of resolution in line with the Notarial Deed of Trust of MISA Botswana.

MISA Botswana would, thus, like to assure its members and public in general that it would, at all times, try to abide by its constitutive document in coming up with any decisions, particularly those with far-reaching consequences such as attacks on political parties or their members, be it BDP, UDC, or BCP. In so doing, the mandate of MISA Botswana would also play a part so as to avoid acting outside of the powers provided for in the MISA Botswana Deed of Trust.

MISA Botswana would also like to assure its members and the public in general that it is a non-partisan organisation. It will never pursue a partisan agenda as that would be inimical to its given mandate.

 

Modise Maphanyane

MISA Botswana Chairperson