Opposition leaders take to the streets
Innocent Selatlhwa | Tuesday September 13, 2016 16:18
Briefing the media yesterday, Botswana Congress Party (BCP) president, Dumelang Saleshando said they agreed to address Batswana on the four issues as they affect all.
“We have reason to worry when we are not consulted about the EVM as we have always been consulted on political reforms. Btv hardly honours our invitations or they come and not broadcast. We also see a President who came in with unemployment at 16.8% saying he will prioritise job creation, but we are now at 22%,” he said.
On education, Saleshando said it is sad that it is almost impossible for students to get sponsorship even when they have done exceptionally well. Botswana People’s Party (BPP) president Motlatsi Molapisi slammed Btv for not providing equal coverage. “People should march to express their displeasure. We can’t just depend on politicians. We need to stand up for our tax money being used to benefit only a few,” he said.
The veteran politician felt the unfair coverage gives the impression that opposition parties have nothing to share as the state media does not relay the messages to people, something he said all Batswana must stand up against to defend the only country they have.
Representing the Botswana Movement for Democracy (BMD) president Ndaba Gaolathe, the party chairman Nehemiah Modubule said Botswana has only gained political and not economic independence. “There is really nothing to celebrate, people went to school but are unemployed, the economy is in the hands of non-indigenous Batswana and that must change,” he said.
Modubule said just like the Tanzanian President, Botswana should have spent the P100 million creating jobs instead of a one-day event. He slammed the government’s new pet project, the Economic Stimulus Programme saying it does not create sustainable jobs.
Botswana National Front (BNF) president, Duma Boko said the march is intended to resuscitate democracy, which is being eroded by the current regime. “We can’t have people broadcast budget speech and the State of the Nation Address and when it is our turn to respond they do not give Batswana a chance to hear us,” he said.
Boko said the EVM was introduced because the BDP is losing grip on power and wants to rig elections. He, however, said they will do everything in their power including going to court to challenge the law shall President Khama sign the Bill.
“They have even developed amendments talking to the Bharat Engineering machines yet they claim they are yet to procure the machines, and we know that these machines can be manipulated. We cannot allow them to take away the integrity of a ballot,” he said. Boko said even though they are still awaiting a permit from the police, whether or not it comes, the march would take place. The march is expected to start in Old Naledi to White City location.