Masisi questioned about party allegiance

EDWARD BULE
Correspondent | Tuesday May 18, 2010 00:00

 

Masisi has been associated with the Barata-Pathi faction of the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP), which has since morphed into a fully fleshed opposition party, the Botswana Movement for Democracy(BMD).

When challenged, albeit indirectly by one of the speakers during question time, to be clear on his political home, Masisi said, 'I am still with the BDP and will continue to correct them from within.' Laughing and admonishing people about getting him into trouble, he went on to say that those who want to hear more about the issue should see him privately.

The legislator was also asked about whether it was true that farmers who were not using their ploughing fields would have them seized as happened in Zimbabwe.  Farmers also pointed out that government must understand that some people might have failed to utilise their ploughing fields for some time due to health or financial problems especially in view of the current economic recession. In response, the MP said that because of lack of consultation by the executive, he also learnt about the issue through the media.

This, said Masisi, is anathema to democracy because as an elected MP, he should have been given the chance to debate the pros and cons of the idea on behalf of his constituents. He said that, instead of appearing vindictive, a sensitive government would educate its people on the need to plough their fields instead of depriving them of the fields.

The MP had called the meeting to address the problems of health faced by the community. He emphasised the need for people to educate themselves on the issue of personal hygiene.  Discouraging littering, he called upon the people to keep a clean environment as a preventive measure against diseases. He further called upon the people to clean their homesteads. Calling for the end of pit latrines, Masisi appealed to the Francistown City Council to complete the sewerage system. Within this context, he lauded his government for providing the nation with portable water and easy access to medical facilities.

The MP appealed to parents and potablej guardians to take their children to the clinic as expeditiously as possible. He expressed disappointment at HIV patients who disregard doctors' instructions on giving up alcohol.The legislator, who said most of the home brews are toxic, called for their discontinuation.