Three ministers, four assistants, three MPs red-carded
Monday, July 29, 2024 | 1170 Views |
Three ministers, four assistants, three MPs red-carded
The first to take the fall was Minister of Justice Machana Shamukuni. Shamukuni faced fierce competition from Luckson Likototo, a man he defeated in the last primary elections back in 2018, for the Chobe constituency. In Chobe, Shamukuni only managed to garner 1,087 votes, whilst Likototo shattered his dream of a parliamentary seat by polling 1,419. Paul Chabaesele, the third parliamentary hopeful, only managed 587 votes. Another red card was given to assistant minister and incumbent Welheminah Makwinja. She is currently Assistant Minister in the Ministry of Education and Skills Development. The battle for Lentsweletau-Lephephe saw battle lines drawn between Makwinja and former ally and current councillor, Obakeng Kabo.
The election was contested by six candidates. Legojane Kebaitse won with 1,358 votes, followed by Makwinja with 1,032 votes, Kgabo walked away with 899 votes, whilst Kenalekgotla Sebolao and Masego Thantshane received 314 and 352 votes respectively. The last to receive a red card was Assistant Minister Buti Billy in Francistown East. The Assistant Minister of Youth, Gender, Sport and Culture (MYSC), who was seeking a third term in Parliament, faced a tough run from Francistown Mayor Godisang Radisigo. Radisigo walked away with the BDP ticket for the 2024 General Election under the Francistown East constituency by 1,238, whilst the incumbent, Billy, only managed 1,131 votes.
It highlights the need to protect rights such as access to clean water, education, healthcare and freedom of expression.President Duma Boko, rightly honours past interventions from securing a dignified burial for Gaoberekwe Pitseng in the CKGR to promoting linguistic inclusion. Yet, they also expose a critical truth, that a nation cannot sustainably protect its people through ad hoc acts of compassion alone.It is time for both government and the...