Govt Pays For BDP Guests

Thanks to what government spokesman, Jeff Ramsay, described as 'an overlap', the taxpayer has unknowingly footed the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) 50th anniversary celebrations bill.  The BDP treated at least two of its top guests to lavish lifestyles using  government resources over the weekend. The leader of the Chama Cha Mapenduzi, Tanzania's ruling party, Jakaya Kikwete, and South Africa's African National Congress (ANC) deputy president, Kgalema Motlanthe, were extended state resources and state protocol during their visit at the invitation of the BDP over the weekend.

State banquets were thrown for both guests. When asked on Saturday to explain why guests of the BDP were entertained by the state, government spokesman, Jeff Ramsay, argued that there is an overlap as both guests are also deputy vice-president and head of state of their respective countries.