Botswana nation is bleeding profusely under Khama
Dumelang Saleshando | Friday November 18, 2016 14:33
Both Kgathi and Ntuane were in the main concerned with statements made by Comrade Kapinga, which in their view, were an unwarranted attack on Khama.
At the BCP press conference to welcome him, Kapinga pointed out to developments in our country, which demonstrate that our democracy is under threat and that he wants to be part of the campaign that will help Botswana to emerge as a true giant of democracy, prosperity and a nation that presents opportunities for all without political favour.
He also expressed concern at the manner in which the current President Ian Khama, in a clear departure from the practice followed by his predecessors, has sought to disregard the recommendation of the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) in appointing Judges. He talked of the many foreigners deported from Botswana by Khama without giving the deportees an opportunity to face charges before the courts of law.
Can the above statements truly shock the BDP and warrant a concerted media campaign to attack the voice that simply repeated what truly concerns Batswana, including members of the BDP? It will be recalled that in August 2014, whilst participating in the African Leadership Forum Panel Discussion, former President Mogae stated that in his view, the present regime in Botswana has no respect for the rule of law.
He further stated that Botswana is clearly regressing and government has become intolerant of debate, criticism and was hostile to any dissenting voice.
He regretted that the current government has deported over 2,000 foreign professionals in less than six years. The regression that concerns patriots like Kapinga and Mogae is reflected in the BDP anger that resonates in their attacks on Kapinga for having stated his views.
Ntuane, whilst still serving as a ruling party backbencher, once observed that Botswana has become a fundamentalist state comparable to Iran and Saudi Arabia. He stated that our civil liberties were under threat and that soon, the state will pronounce on when we should sleep, what music we should listen to and many other unimaginable directives. He was not the first sitting BDP legislator to publicly pronounce on the dangers that Khama posed to our democracy. Oliphant Mfa once prophesised that under Khama, only those in graves and in prison will be free.
As the BCP, we have consistently warned Batswana about the erosion of our democracy and the upsurge in corruption through our various democracy alerts. Many Batswana, like Ntuane, live in fear of their increasingly fundamentalist government.
Citizens are not free to express their views openly. An increasing number of parastatals have been placed under the leadership of BDP operatives and tenders are awarded to those who are loyal to the party.
Merit and capability is no longer a requirement for one to be given an opportunity to serve their country in the public service. The Constitution can be amended at supersonic speed to create opportunities for the President to reward his growing list of cronies.
As a result of the above maladies, the nation is bleeding profusely. Escalation in state approved corruption has allowed the less skilled but politically connected to loot public funds and enrich themselves.
The Directorate on Corruption and Economic Crime is not able to prosecute the champions of corruption as they enjoy Presidential blessings. It should not surprise anyone that the leaked investigation into the head of the Directorate of Intelligence and Security will not attract any punitive action. As the former Secretary General of the BDP, Mpho Balopi once declared, it is their 'time to eat.”
Unfortunately, the reality is that many Batswana, though alive to the rapid degeneration that our country is going through, would rather express their concern privately in hushed tones.
They fear to offend the powerful state that no longer serves their interests. People fear to even express their views in private conversations as they suspect that government spies are listening to their private conversations through mobile phones.
Thankfully, there are some Batswana like Kapinga who are willing to stand up in defence of our country. It is not enough to lament the eminent collapse of our economy on account of corruption and bad governance. Men and women of principle and integrity need to stand up and be counted.
As I stated at the last BCP press conference, if you are not part of the solution to the problems our country faces, consider yourself part of the problem.
*Dumelang Saleshando is BCP president