Masisi camp distances itself from abuse of state resources

Ryder Gabathuse | Friday July 7, 2017 10:10

 

Reports filtering in from within the BDP alleges that the Masisi team which has camped on the outskirts of Tonota at a farm owned by Lucas, is using state resources to run some of its errands.

These reports come in the wake of a massive tent camp set up in a farm in the outskirts of Tonota to house delegates loyal to the Masisi lobby group. The camp has been dubbed Dubai Camp II.

A similar camp was set up two years ago at the party’s 36th elective congress held in Mmadinare where Masisi emerged victorious.

There are allegations that government motor vehicles bearing the BX registration numbers have been pulled from the Central Transport Organisation (CTO) and now bear private registration numbers and are used to run the party errands. 

Allegedly, the motor vehicles will be used to transport party members across the areas to the congress site. Sources have also alleged that even the many tents that are being erected on the farm to house delegates are government property.

Lucas ehemently denied the charges levelled against their lobby group and indicated that such accusations could only come from jealous and abnormal people. “I am the owner of the farm and those tents have been donated by various benefactors who want to enrich democracy.

Nothing that we use belongs to the government, including our personal and company motor vehicles,” he said indicating that he has also donated a tent.

Lucas, who is also the BDP’s Francistown South branch secretary, is adamant that all the tents are new and the whole set up was planned for the occasion that starts today. 

If indeed the camp Masisi bought those tents, it also reflects on their financial strength, but if they are using state resources as it is feared, that will be abuse at its highest level.

“Those people are selling you false information and I can only say they are driven by jealousy and malice. When people are destined to lose they can defame you and call you all sorts of names,” said Lucas in an interview yesterday without naming anyone. 

He explained that the whole area at his farm was graded by hired graders and not even at state cost. He challenged people to run clean campaigns and stop eavesdropping into their activities and misrepresent their activities.