Saleshando to move motion of no confidence in Khama

EPHRAIM KEORENG
Staff Writer | Wednesday June 22, 2011 00:00

 

Saleshando, who is also a Botswana Congress Party (BCP) leader said that a lot of BDP MPs have expressed concern over Ian Khama's presidency. In an interview with Mmegi yesterday, Saleshando expressed hope that the motion will receive a lot of support especially that only a simple majority is needed to remove Khama from the presidency.

He said the president has not shown any leadership qualities especially during the public sector strike as he failed to amicably resolve the crisis. He said at the moment he is not sure how many BDP MPs will support him, adding that some have told him in private they were fed up with Khama's leadership. He said the opposition will soon caucus before taking the motion to Parliament.

'Even if I don't get great support from the house, especially from the ruling BDP, I know that I will be sending a clear message and registering my view on the failure of the current president in leading the nation. When he became Vice-President, Khama abused government helicopters against the advise of the Ombudsman. And as Vice-President he consistently refused to account to Parliament on government projects, yet he was the coordinator of projects.

Now Khama continues to refuse to see the BDP MPs and opposition MPs over the strike crisis. This shows that he thinks he is above the government. He thinks we owe him a favour,' he said. The legislator said already people are wondering if Khama is fit to rule this country and they want to know what legislators are saying.

'So my motion will be my voice to say, this man is not fit to lead this nation,' he said. Saleshando also said that even if the motion does not succeed, he will go on record in the annals of history as an opposition MP 'who stood up and spoke out about Khama's misrule,' he said.

Meanwhile BDP publicity chairman, Shaw Kgathi dismissed as hogwash talk that his party MPs will support Saleshando's motion. 'Ke tontokwane ya mo dikhoneng (It's just mere corridor gossip). In reality it cannot happen. We endorsed the president and we will support him. We have our own forums where our MPs discuss their concerns and I can assure you there is no way they will break ranks with the party at parliament,' he said.