Mixed reactions over Seretse resignation

ISAIAH MOREWAGAE
Staff Writer | Wednesday September 1, 2010 00:00

The timing of Seretse's resignation could not be worse, in some ways, as the opposition parties and the public at large have been calling for his resignation over a possible conflict of interest.

Unhelpfully, the government and Seretse himself have offered conflicting reasons for his departure and the rumour mill is in overdrive. Some say Seretse resigned after the crime-busting organisation, Directorate of Corruption and Economic Crime (DCEC) tied up its investigations over possible conflict of interest.

The investigations centred on the award of tenders to RFT Botswana (Pty) Ltd - a company whose directors are the minister's wife and brother.

The company has won tenders worth over P1 million from departments under Seretse's ministry.The case is expected to test the independence of the judiciary in Botswana, particularly that the Directorate of Public Prosecution will be putting its former boss on trial.  Seretse has been at the helm of the ministry under which the Administration of Justice fall under for the past two years.

In an interview with Mmegi, the University of Botswana academic, Dr Dickson Lecha welcomed the move by the former Minister. Dr Lecha was of the view that Seretse had to step down and clear his name first. 'We want clean politicians, clean representatives as such he has to clear his name to the public first', Dr Lecha said.

He praised President Khama's leadership in that his officers resigned from their positions once they have been charged. 'In the past we would see people being investigated and indicted while still holding their offices,' Dr Lecha said. He believed that despite public reservations on the newly appointed Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) Leonard Sechele, facts will speak for themselves. 'If something is red it will always remain that way. I believe that facts will stand on their own,' Dr Lecha said.

Another UB academic, Dr Onalenna Selolwane stressed that it is always a decent thing for a public office bearer to always step down once his name is doubted.

Dr Selolwane stressed that out of integrity and respect for the position, a good thing is for one to step down and be cleared first. 'People should understand that they can always come back once they have proved their innocence. We don't want our public offices to be tainted hence it's very important for him to clear his name first', Dr Selolwane said.

As for the doubts that some members of the public had about the DPP boss, Dr Selolwane is of the view that it is very nice for one to prove his professionalism once the opportunity presents itself. 'If the circumstances present an opportunity for you to prove your professionalism, it is always nice to do that,' said Dr Selolwane. 

Further, private attorney Boingotlo Toteng said Seretse had done the honourable thing by stepping down. Toteng said people must understand that he is not guilty until found otherwise. 'He has simply been charged and will have his day in court', Toteng said.

As for the independence of Sechele, Toteng said 'for me at a private level there is some kind of vindication for that belief in the new DPP's potential'. Toteng lamented that he always nursed the belief that for all the criticism that has been made against Sechele's appointment he is a fiercely independent man and 'would not bootlick anyone'.

For his part Lepetu Setshwaelo still has reservations about the appointment of former Legal Advisor to the Directorate of Intelligence and Security Sechele. Setshwaelo pointed out that the possible prosecution of Seretse does not in any way prove the independence of Sechele. He stressed that there was overwhelming evidence against Seretse that no-one could resist.

He emphasised that the country has been corruption ridden for a long time and the government has been failing to act on it. 'DCEC has been a toothless bulldog for quite some time now', Setshwaelo said.

He stressed that Seretse's resignation is a signal that Batswana can no longer carry on hence they have to exert pressure on the government.