Dikomang sues BDP officer for dagga insult

EPHRAIM KEORENG
Staff Writer | Friday August 6, 2010 00:00

 

BDP Political Education and Elections Committee (PEEC) member, Dikomang, has accused Tafa of insulting her by calling her a dagga smoker.

She said Tafa used abusive language in reference to her at a meeting held in Gaborone last week to determine whether it was necessary to recount the votes from the Tonota North primary.

'My family was displeased that Tafa called me a dagga smoker. We have since decided that we should seek recourse before the courts. Tafa will have to explain in detail what he meant, without even dwelling on party issues,' she said.

Dikomang disclosed (at a meeting to scrutinise grounds for recount for the primaries) that she had in her possession marked ballot papers she found the day after the results of the primary were announced. She had gone back to get something she had forgotten at the counting centre in Mathangwane when she found the ballot papers in an envelope under a table, she said.

On the other hand Tafa has stuck to his guns, saying he uttered the words in shocked disbelief that an electoral officer could try to manipulate election results.

Tafa, who is also an attorney, said threats to sue will not change the fact that Dikomang tried to manipulate results.

'It's like telling me Dikomang says she wants to beat me up. What am I supposed to say? Do I care if she did it? It won't change the truth and the fact that she tried to manipulate the results. If she is serious about it (lawsuit), I will respond at the appropriate time. I don't want to give substance to something that has no substance. She is trying to divert attention from the serious issue the bottom line is she tried to manipulate results. I have no intention of engaging in a personal row with Dikomang. I have better use of my time,' he said.