Ntuane castgates Khama, DIS and Skelemani

BAME PIET
Staff Writer | Thursday November 11, 2010 00:00

Phandu Skelemani and Director General of Directorate of Intelligence and Security, Isaac Kgosi, suggesting that some of their public utterances are irresponsible and dangerous for national unity.

Responding to President Khama's opening address of Parliament yesterday, Ntuane took the one hour thirty minutes allocated to him, casting doubt on the current regime's ability to rule this country, cautioning that disaster is about to befall this nation.

He accused Khama of uttering dangerous remarks at a political rally in Tsamaya early this year, after the break-up of the ruling Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) that there was imminent civil war about to explode.  He said that in his address, the President failed to explain where the war would come from urging him to retract the statement to assure Batswana of their peace and safety.

He also accused the President of using national resources, civil servants and government institutions for political events in the process trampling on the laws of the country.

He said that Khama uses Kgotla meetings to address political rallies, something that his predecessors never did.Ntuane said that there was too much waste of public resources at the Office of the President. He said for example that there was no reason why government should keep two presidential jets, two VIP helicopters and a VIP caravan. He proposed that one of the jets and the caravan should be sold.

Turning the blazing guns on Kgosi, he said that he should desist from making political utterances because he is a civil servant who should keep his distance from party politics.

He said that the man has a tendency to use foul language against opposition MPs, citing an incident in which Kgosi allegedly said the MPs are irresponsible. He urged him to retract the statement.

He added that the DIS needs an introspection to restore public confidence after initial two years of involvement in alleged killing of unarmed civilians.

Meanwhile, at the said Tsamaya rally, Skelemani allegedly said that Tati South MP, Guma Moyo, should return to his native Zimbabwe.

He said if that were to happen, even Batswana of Asiatic origin should return home. Ntuane cautioned about tribalism saying it has the potential to destroy progressive countries such as Botswana, as has happened in many African countries.

He said Batswana should identify themselves as such and not as ethnic groupings.

Ntuane applauded the Directorate on Corruption and Economic Crimes (DCEC) for doing a good job in fighting corruption through public education and other programmes.

However, he said, a lot still needs to be done to give autonomy to the organisation to remove it from the control of the Office of the President.

He said that opposition MPs are going to table motions, amongst others: -

* that the DCEC should be given full autonomy, 

* comprehensive Declaration of Assets and Liabilities Bill 

* Freedom of Information Bill.

and others that promote transparency and good governance.

The Leader of the Opposition also said that they are going to request government to place a moratorium on the award of projects to Chinese companies pending investigations on the alleged abuse of workers' rights, trampling on labour laws and a national conference between government and citizen business people.

He said that the current government does not care about the welfare of Batswana working for Chinese companies because members of the ruling party are shareholders in such companies.

The MP said that government is working day and night to make life difficult for ordinary Batswana through the alcohol levy, increment of VAT to 12 percent, exorbitant charges in replacing national documents such as the national identity card, passports and drivers licences, amongst others.

He cautioned that government faces public revolt if it goes ahead with a proposed increase in alcohol levy by December 1st.

On civil servants, he said young, qualified and talented Batswana are not allowed to apply their skills because of President Khama's love for directives.

The MP said that civil servants live in fear of losing their jobs if they try to be independent minded, hence most of them are frustrated.

He said that for government to deny trade unions participation in political issues is misinformed and a display of cowardice as all democracies in the world allow them participation.

He alleged that Khama does not want a review of the country's constitution because he is insecure and fears change.

Ntuane cautioned that by 2014 there will be a new government in power that will comprise of young people with fresh ideas, something he said is the global trend.

Ntuane further cautioned that the CKGR issue needs to be resolved as a matter of urgency before things get out of hand.

He called on government to open a borehole for Basarwa living in the CKGR for the sake of 'botho'.