Nchindo discussion on Facebook

EPHRAIM KEORENG
Staff Writer | Tuesday February 16, 2010 00:00

Facebook is a social network that connects people with their friends and others who work, study and also those who share beliefs; be they political or religious. Since Nchindo was reported missing, there have been a lot of postings on Facebook, as people try to make sense of the disappearance of this public figure. They used Facebook as a vehicle to reach out to each other and share their thoughts on what may have happened. On a Mmegi Facebook link, which has been in existence since last year, more than a hundred postings were made by readers, who sought answers and extrapolated on the disappearance of Nchindo.

Morwadi Ramotshabi commenting on the link, dubbed Nchindo, says:

'God save my country n my fellow citizens... R.I.P Louis Nchindo. May those who masterminded n commanded the evil act of eliminating u PERISH in the hottest side of HELL 4 they deserve nothing less than jus that. RIP big man.'

Other messages of condolence continue to pour in on this Nchindo website. The BDP has expressed its sympathy and paid tribute to the man who has been credited, not only for bankrolling president Ketumile Masire but also in helping finance the ruling party (BDP) through De Beers.  Secretary of Publicity and Culture Sub Committee MacDonald Peloetletse in a statement to the media said:

'We would like to express our deepest sympathy to the Nchindo family for the untimely death of their parent, father, husband and grandfather. We pay homage to the immense contribution he has made to Botswana. We pray that the love and spirit of God will be with the Nchindo family to comfort and give them strength in their time of need,' reads the statement.  

Perhaps the consternation that permeates the atmosphere over the man's brutal death can be explained by the fact that Nchindo was no ordinary man. He was a man facing serious charges and was seen as a kingmaker who decided who became president and helped pick ministers for the cabinet.

Nchindo died at a time when he, together with his son Garvas, Joseph Matome and Jacob Sesinyi were facing 36 counts of corruption. Besides that, the magnate recently featured prominently in an expose where he was said to have financed the ruling BDP and even bailed out former president Sir Ketumile Masire from financial problems. A lot of confidential information was leaking out to the press and many people felt that it was Nchindo spilling the beans, but the man himself denied these allegations.

His death has caused a lot of uncertainty as some people believe he was killed, whilst others say he committed suicide. Even the police are not ready to commit themselves. They cannot say if it is a suicide or a homicide.

Botswana Police Service spokesperson, Dipheko Motube could only say, 'At the moment we are waiting for a briefing from the field'.It is against the backdrop of this uncertainty that some readers created the Facebook link.