COVID-19, a virtually unknown virus, was at our doorstep. Western media beamed to us in Africa, images of an apocalyptic time halfway across the globe. Populations, were being decimated, and corpses were being sent to graveyards without reference to relatives. There was no cure. It felt like the world, was coming to an end. There was terror, even in the bravest hearts. We all agreed with government, on the curtailment of our liberties, in our collective interest. A people spoilt with democracy and freedoms, had to come to terms with the reality of home imprisonment, enforced by men and women, in uniform.
Of course, both sides differed on how the emergency should be dealt with. The opposition argued for the strengthening of the Public Health Act. The Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) caucus had already agreed on the declaration of a State of Public Emergency (SoE). The executive dominated BDP Parliament had their way as usual, and for the second time, in recent memory, democracy was suspended. The nation was placed, under a constitutional dictatorship. Six months later, the same government would push again, in Parliament that the President be allowed to rule by decree for a further six months. A further six months on, they are refusing to give power back to the people. They have been corrupted by power. Power corrupts, someone said. Absolute power corrupts absolutely.
