About De Beers and funding ruling party

MAIKGANTSHO RAMONTSHO | Friday March 12, 2010 00:00

It has been reported that De Beers has been sponsoring the BDP during elections. Profits from De Beers are expected to enhance social, economic and political development as well as to enhance the spiritual growth of individuals, communities and that of the entire nation at large. For only a few organisations and individuals to benefit is uncalled for and should not be entertained and tolerated under any circumstances.

Domkrag has made the nation to believe that, they raise funds through the concert.

The said concert has now been established to be De Beers. It has also been established that the mining giant bailed out former President Sir Ketumile Masire during his term of office. This has compelled certain sections of the society to call for his prosecution. As usual, the politically immature Botswana Congress Party has indicated they  intend to take legal action against him.

But the nation needs a broad commission to establish the role the De Beers Company has been playing in local politics.

There is suspicion  that De Beers played a role in the infamous Palapye incident, which gave birth to the formation of BCP. It is believed that during this time certain leaders of the Botswana National Front were sponsored to take a trip to Israel. It is further argued that when they came back, all hell broke loose.

These allegations can only be addressed through a broad enquiry. Trade unions, NGO's should agitate for this commission in order to protect the existence of democracy in our country. The enquiry will either implicate or absolve the company.

Though the BNF has over the years been calling for political funding in order to avoid situations where the ruling party will abuse its incumbency to attract blood sponsorship, BDP dismisses the idea. Lack of political funding will further encourage multi-million companies to sponsor certain individuals to form parties, which are ideological identical to BDP.

This may encourage proliferation of political parties, which might source funds from countries known to have no respect for  human rights. It will further attract funds with conditions. Foreign countries will always have conditions. This implies that even if they attain power it will not benefit Batswana because they will have to serve these countries. The policies will not change because, just like BDP, they will still serve the same master(s).