Venson-Moitoi Hits Back At Masisi
Innocent Selatlhwa | Monday February 18, 2019 12:39
She also wants it known that Masisi is not being truthful in claiming that she failed to submit a report on elephants.
Mid-last year, a Presidential sub-committee of Cabinet chaired by the then Local Government and Rural Development minister, Venson-Moitoi launched a two-month nationwide consultation to review the four-year ban on hunting activities.
When addressing a BDP South West regional congress over the weekend, Masisi said Venson-Moitoi had failed to submit a report due to some outside forces. She rubbished Masisi’s claim saying she did in fact submit the report.
“Rre gaba bolelele ruri gore ga ke a isa report, maybe he forgot. I gave him the report on December 13 last year. He told me that he would look into it and discuss it with the new minister. He should ask for a copy if he lost the one I gave him. Also, if he is not happy with the report he should state so and not deny that I gave it to him,” she said.
On Masisi saving her ministerial job six months before the 2014 general elections, the Serowe South legislator laughed off the claim and said she is the one who saved his job.
“I am the one who spoke for him when all the Cabinet members had turned against him. They wanted him to be removed from the vice presidency and I had his back by myself. He should be thanking me,” she said.
On being used by ‘some people’ to topple Masisi, Venson-Moitoi said she had made it clear in writing to the President that she wished to challenge him. She said she is an independent adult with her own mind and took the decision on her own.
“Khama has the right to support me as a democrat as much as he also has those supporting him,” she said.
On Khama’s failure to support her for African Union chairpersonship (AU), the presidential aspirant said it was not true that Khama did not support her. “I’m surprised that the same person who took with him support letters from Khama to African presidents is saying that. He read the letters of support himself. Khama had made it that the Vice President would attend the AU and European Union. I have no doubt that he supported me as he also travelled with me to Morocco where he sought support for me from the Senegalese,” she said.
The former minister said she was disappointed that Masisi was using her name in his campaigns. She said she does not use his name when campaigning and has urged her campaign team not to campaign using his name.
Venson-Moitoi shocked many when she announced her presidential candidacy as the BDP always supported those nominated by the outgoing president. Her candidacy came after the fall out between Khama and Masisi leading to suggestions that she could be Khama’s avenging