President Khama is un-Christian says Mabiletsa

BAME PIET
Staff Writer | Tuesday November 23, 2010 00:00

 

He vowed that if government were to connect water for the CKGR residents today, he would not hesitate to join the ruling party.

When delivering the State of the Nation Address two weeks ago, Khama quoted from the Book of Romans Chapter 12 verses 19 to 21; 'Beloved do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written. Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord, Therefore: if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in so you will heap coals of fire on his head. Do not be overcome by evil, overcome evil with good,' the verse reads. Mabiletsa pleaded with Khama to give water to CKGR residents and even offered to join the BDP if that were to happen. 'All they need is a drink - water Mr president. Deliver water to the people,' Mabiletsa said.

Like other opposition MPs, Mabiletsa called for a review of the Constitution though he acknowledged that the current one has served the country well over the past 40 years. He quoted Section 47 (2) of the Constitution saying it gives the President absolute powers that far exceed even those possessed by the Devil.  Section 47 (2) reads thus 'In the exercise of any function conferred upon him or her by this Constitution or any other law the President shall, unless it is otherwise provided, act in his or her own deliberate judgment and shall not be obliged to follow the advice tendered by any other person or authority'. 'Dithata tsa ga Tautona di feta le tsa ga Saatane tota,' he cautioned. He said that this is a threat to the stability and democracy that Khama says he is committed to maintain.

Mabiletsa turned his anger on Minister of Education Pelonomi Venson-Moitoi and her assistant Keletso Rakhudu and called on them to resign from their positions saying they have messed up the education system in Botswana with the help of the Botswana Examinations Council. He labeled Venson-Moitoi a liar who has misled the nation on many occasions especially when she said she was negotiating with teachers unions on the examinations crisis.

Venson-Moitoi was in the house and did not respond, as Mabiletsa continually refused to yield to other members of the House.

The state-owned Botswana Television (BTV) was not spared from the legislator's 'smoke' when he accused the station's staff of involvement in politics in favour of the ruling party. He said that the station only provides coverage for events of the ruling party sidelining the opposition parties. He warned that the three opposition parties have agreed to work together in parliament and during elections echoing Botsalo Ntuane's sentiments that BDP will soon be in opposition come 2014.

The BNF leader in parliament called for investigation into allegations of conflict of interest at Botswana Export Development and Investment Authority (BEDIA) and CEDA Venture Capital. At the latter organisation, Mabiletsa alleged that the authorities impose their ideas, board of directors, and even managers on companies that have benefited from the finances. This leads to collapse of these companies only for the friends of the said Venture Capital officers to take over to run them.