The allegations, he says have been directed at him personally and in his capacity as a minister. He is right on the second count i.e.that the allegations are levelled against him. Unfortunately, on the first count it is his word against that of his accusers, be they Members of Parliament (MPs) or the media. Rre Seretse believes he has been vilified and condemned unfairly as there is no evidence to prove that he is corrupt as some MPs and reporters have imputed. He is telling us today that he is not a director of the company in the eye of the storm RTF Botswana (PTY) LTD which, according to reports, has been winning tenders worth millions of Pula supplying departments that fall directly under the ambit of Seretse's ministry. Yes, it is painful to be wrongly accused especially if you are not the devil that people make you to be. However, it is quite clear why people would believe there is a conflict of interest in the case of Rre Seretse and RTF. Why? In the opinion of the accusers, he was a director of the company and until the contrary was proven, it would be difficult to fault them. The minister is telling us today, after more than three months since the allegations were made. Why wait this long? Assuming things are as Rre Seretse says they are - and it could be so, he together with all members of the ruling Botswana Democratic Party (BDP), will appreciate the need for what they recently rubbished - MP Dumelang Saleshando's request for government to consider bringing a bill that will eventually become a Declaration of Assets and Liabilities law. This law, together its 'suite-mate', The Freedom of Information Act, have in many countries come to the rescue of officials who are in Rre Seretse's place in society. Thus, the laws do not only help curb corruption among government officials, but also protect the honest ones from unfair criticism. If there were such a law in Botswana, the matter of the minister and RTF would not have been left to speculation. Those interested in the issue would have had access to the necessary records, and realised that there was no conflict of interest presented. Or perhaps they would have brought forth a completely different argument. It is encouraging to note that RTF has on its own volition invited the Directorate on Corruption and Economic Crime (DCEC) to investigate its activities. The only blight though, is that the organisation itself falls under Seretse's ambit. More than that, it is led by a relative of the minister or someone close to the Seretse family. These are matters of concern to Batswana, and true, Rre Seretse may have become the sacrificial lamb for these anomalies to become crystallised for those within the ruling party who are resistant to change.
Today's thought
