Of self interest and vultures
Friday, August 07, 2015
Khama
Sometime in June 2000 at a seminar at Botswana National Productivity Centre, President Ian Khama, then vice president, angered Members of Parliament (MPs) across the political divide after likening them to vultures that were all out to loot the coffers of the government.
President Khama said this in response to MPs who at that time demanded a huge salary hike. In a rare share of accord, members of political parties represented in parliament glibly agreed to a motion calling for salary hikes of MPs a few years after their salaries were hiked by 35 percent.
Batswana who marched peacefully for 'Justice for Tshepi' demanded answers. They have now received a detailed account of police investigation and a promise that the file is with the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP). The real test is whether the state now keeps its word without further prodding. In his address, the minister asked the nation to trust the process. He spoke of rigour, not neglect, and pointed to 10 months of...