The fall of Modenga
Chakalisa Dube | Friday February 24, 2017 17:31
In other words, they are expected to weather the storm because they may be rightly or wrongly implicated in something that they have not done. Politicians can use their positions and influence to get many things that an ordinary person cannot get for personal gain. They are sometimes oblivious to the dangers that may arise because of their wicked actions. Conversely, they can use their positions to obtain favours for their cronies and if they are lucky, they may go scot-free. On the other hand, their shenanigans may land them in trouble should a new party take over Government in the future.
The president of the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) Duma Boko has already issued a stern warning to members of the ruling Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) saying that they will answer for their ‘corrupt actions’ should the UDC assume power after the 2019 general elections. Globally, the name of former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi would probably ring a bell if they were to choose a worldwide figure who is renowned for surviving many scandals - political, financial and personal. Former US President, Bill Clinton also survived his alleged sex scandal with Monica Lewinsky, a former White House intern. Clinton was subsequently acquitted of perjury and obstruction of justice after a 21-day trial by the senate.
Locally, the MP for Francistown West Ignatius Moswaane has survived many political storms when many had already written his political obituary in the past. Recently, dethroned deputy mayor of Francistown, Lechedzani Modenga, was mired in allegations of using his position to illegally obtain money from a member of the public.
The state alleges that last year, Modenga unlawfully obtained P45,000 from Karabo Nkwai by falsely representing to her that as FCC’s deputy mayor, he will use his position to facilitate Nkwai to be allocated two plots owned by the FCC while he knew that to be false.
Modenga is no stranger to controversy. He rarely attends council sessions on account of health reasons - a situation that has provoked a wrath of criticism from politicians across the political spectrum. The councillors were gunning for his head and wanted to recall him from his position. They were of the view that his regular absence from council session was delaying the developments of the city.
They achieved that feat on Monday after they unanimously nominated councillor Godisang Radisigo as the new deputy mayor. Modenga was conspicuous by his absence during the nomination process and ongoing five-day ordinary council meeting that started on Monday because of ill-health.
In June last year Mmegi reported that crime busters from the Directorate on Corruption and Economic Crime (DCEC) were investigating Modenga and some FCC employees about allegations related to illegal selling of Self Help Housing Agency (SHHA) land. In April last year, Magistrate Jennifer Chikate ordered Modenga to pay three months installments of P5,000 to settle a P15,000 to settle a loan he acquired from Lumbidzani Bajo.
During that time, documents produced in court showed that the controversial councillor who drives a sleek Range Rover takes home salary was P200 after all deductions and other debts have been paid.
A magistrate court last year also returned a default judgement against Modenga in a civil matter after he failed to appear in court.
Modenga’s rise to become Francistown deputy mayor late in 2014 is also shrouded in controversy. There was speculation doing rounds that Modenga paid some of his BDP colleagues to support his bid for the deputy mayor’s position after a grueling and financially taxing election campaign. BDP insiders said some of the councillors were impecunious hence he easily influenced them to vote for him in exchange for giving them P2,000 each. Modenga vehemently denied the allegations. He said he convincingly defeated his opponents during a BDP caucus election including Radisigo.
“Allegations that I bought some people to vote for me are not true but are just mere talk to discredit my good name.” Modenga scoffed at insinuations that his criminal and civil allegations would dent his political career calling the allegations “mere rumours”. He also said he owes nobody nothing adding that his attorney Kagiso Jani recently appeared in court on his behalf in connection with a civil but not criminal matter.
Said Modenga: “I instructed Jani to appear in court on my behalf in connection with a civil and not criminal matter. In fact I have long paid the person who laid charges against me P20,000.” A defiant Modenga who has attracted a bad boy image to his name ever since he spectacularly became the deputy mayor said the allegations he is facing will not in anyway affect his political vocation.
“I am going to stand again in 2019. I will win the elections convincingly and I am now aiming to be the city’s mayor after the 2019 elections. I am very sure that I will assume that position. Voters in my ward also know my capabilities and still trust me hence they voted for me in large numbers in 2014,” an unflinching Modenga vowed. Political analyst professor Zibani Maundeni said it depends on several factors for a politician to survive scandals surrounding them.
“If the politician is in the weaker faction of his or her political party he or she is unlikely to survive the scandals and vice-versa. If he is in a weaker faction the likelihood is that he will not have enough protection and will face stiffer opposition from his enemies,” said Maundeni.
Maundeni added that in some less common instances if one is in the ruling party, which usually has influence on various issues of governance, they are likely to get protection from scandals surrounding them.
The University of Botswana (UB) professor added that in some circumstances it is difficult for political parties (especially ruling parties) to offer protection to scandal prone politicians. The scenario according to him exists when the said politician is implicated in serious corruption or criminal activities.
Maundeni also warned that it is very risky for political parties to protect scandal prone politicians because it could dent their image.
“On the other hand a politician can survive a scandal on account that voters also perceive most politicians to be characters who are corrupt and scandal prone. Voters are likely to continue voting for a politician who has been implicated in scandals because of such perception,” he said. If a politician is very creative and resourceful they can also survive many political scandals according to the UB professor.