Knives Out For 'COVID-19 Deliquent' Lelatisitswe

When President Mokgweetsi Masisi addressed the nation on August 13, 2021, he said in view of the worsening situation of COVID-19 in Botswana and its burden on the economy and health facilities, the government took decisions to suspend gatherings. One of those was that “all public gatherings, including Kgotla meetings, merapelo, weddings, patlo and magadi be suspended". For junior minister Lelatisitswe, this messaging must have meant very little as his late father’s tombstone unveiling was held with guests at the event.

The junior minister was under fire on social media after he posted pictures of himself and other attendants stating that they on Saturday morning unveiled a tombstone for his father, Lelatisitswe Alogeng. Instead of comforting messages from users, Batswana wondered how he managed to host an unveiling while events have been put on hold. In his defence, the minister said only merapelo, patlo and magadi were suspended.