A combative Merafhe took the fight to the striking workers as he read them the riot act and announced that his government will not pander to the demands of the workers. He threatened that after the strike, the civil service might be reduced. "We will not pay people that are not at work. It was not a threat when we said that we have fired those that we have fired. No, it was not a threat," this was Merafhe's message and given the affirmation that he got from the crowd, the Vice President was speaking to the converted.
Many of the people in attendance seemed to be reading from his script and almost everything he said was greeted with 'Amen' from the crowd. When the Vice President stood to address the residents, some of the striking workers who came to the meeting walked out on him. It was a departure by about 10 percent of the people who came to the meeting and a great majority stayed. Those who remained to listen to the former military chief were mainly the elderly and a few youth. With such an audience, Merafhe had a field day presenting his case. Like a trained marksman, he went for the workers' jugular. Like a wounded politician seeking relief, he appealed to the emotions of those in attendance. Like a debater, he relied on Setswana idioms and proverbs to pulverise his opponents, many of whom had boycotted the meeting.
