Masisi rebukes Guma, Sadique
News
Attempts by Vice President Mokgweetsi Masisi to intervene in the row involving Tati East legislator, Samson Moyo Guma and Minister of Mineral Resources, Green Technology and Energy Security, Advocate Sadique Kebonang hit a snag this week as Kebonang failed to attend a party meeting organised by the VP to deal with the feud.
Last week, the duo was involved in an online spat. The exchange followed Guma’s utterances in parliament, in the absence of Kebonang who chose to respond via social media instead. The two legislators’ feud is resultant of the landmark case regarding the misuse of the P250 million of the National Petroleum Fund (NPF).
According to reports reaching WeekendPost the Vice President decided to step in because he is worried the two MP’s public row could cost the party particularly at next year’s general elections. Sources close to developments quote Masisi as having said: “We are leaders and we should behave as such, not casually like it is the case. BDP is the only party and we should discuss such things as it might cost us big time in the future.”
Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) chief whip Liakat Kablay confirmed that this week’s party meeting was purely meant to address the duo’s squabbles. “As a party we should be united especially in public fora and the intention was to call both Sadique and Guma to reconcile them unfortunately the former was on an official trip to London so the matter could not go any further.” The VP has reportedly taken the issue to heart and it is expected that the two will be called again next week to appear before him (Masisi) and smoke a peace pipe.
THE EXCHANGE…
“Honourable minister kindly put your house in order before you talk of increasing fuel prices. Put your house in order with regards to the National Petroleum Fund (NPF). We are not saying anyone is corrupt but what is happening at your ministry is pure thuggery. As the minister, the buck stops with you," Moyo said when responding to the budget proposal by Minister Kebonang.
Kebonang who had kept quiet for some time took to Facebook and posted in response to Moyo: “Guma has the tendency to malign people’s characters. Just a few years ago he had a case of money laundering. Nobody asked him to resign. Was he an embarrassment to the party and the country? Once he also threatened to resign from parliament. He didn’t. He carries himself like this angel of high moral standards when he is far from it. He is no saint and a role model. One doesn’t even know his educational background even though he likes to claim to be this sophisticated accountant and auditor. This is a man who never lasted as assistant minister or even chairman of the party. I have come to the conclusion that he is not mentally stable and is very silly.”
According to the sources, the party is equally shocked by the two’s public squabbles as they have always been close allies. While others within the BDP suggested that this could be a gimmick by the MPs for them to win the heart of the incoming president and position themselves better for the impending cabinet reshuffle, Guma has always been clear that he doesn’t want any ministerial portfolio. On the other hand it is said Kebonang is worried the same allegations may hamper his return to the ministerial seat either after the inauguration of Masisi or post the general elections.
“I’m not going to be afraid to speak about the National Petroleum Fund just because the minister is somewhere out there posting about me on Facebook. It does not matter and am not scared of a graduate of some mental asylum. I repeat he must resign. As we sit here the NPF has not been audited for 2 years. I will not fear to talk about him because he will write on Facebook. In fact he needs to come here to parliament,” Moyo said in parliament.
Maele mum over dustbin money
Meanwhile at the same meeting, it was also expected that Minister of Land Management, Water and Sanitation Services, Prince Maele would clear his name regarding the dustbin saga, but he is said to have avoided commenting all together. “He didn’t say anything and there was no pressure for him to say anything but we thought he would say something regarding the recent dustbin drama and if possible other reports that have implicated him. The thing is you can’t understand him, sometimes he is jolly and going around greeting others and at times he is just tough, so no one could bother him at the meeting since he was hard again,” a source highlighted.
But elsewhere Minister Maele has made his position clear. He has pointed out that the P50 000 loot found at his vacant residence inside a dustbin was a setup and he has named his suspects. Maele believes that he is a threat to some in the BDP and they are trying all tricks to have him removed as Minister and by extension from his constituency. He has vowed to clear his name.
With these scandals threatening the ruling party, Members of Parliament have cautioned the incoming president to be careful when selecting his cabinet. “The thing we have been talking about is when Masisi assumes power he should be cautious about who he chooses for his cabinet. He must avoid young boys; this is a senior position that should be given to a mature person. Again he should look at the background of the potential ministers, you can’t put a hungry person there and not expect corruption and these other bad things which tarnish the image of the party,” a source cautioned.
These reports and many more which are threatening BDP’s rule are expected to be discussed at length at the party’s 54th National council this weekend (Friday& Saturday). The party is said to be treating the matter with sensitivity hence the decision to deal with the issues at their internal meeting. “Some questions are expected to be fielded at the national council because party members want to know and for sure they will ask questions,” Kablay said.
News
Botswana approves extradition of British fugitive
Raiz Ahmed Tayub, a British fugitive sought by Interpol for his involvement in human trafficking and slave trade crimes, was captured by the Botswana Police Service (BPS) earlier this year.
This content is locked
Login To Unlock The Content!
featured
BOCRA detects new cyber attacks targeted at Botswana
Government owned communications regulator, Botswana Communications Regulatory Authority (BOCRA) recently detected several cyber-attacks targeted at national information and communications infrastructure, companies and home routers in this country.
This content is locked
Login To Unlock The Content!
News
Malawi appeals for help over Cyclone Freddy at PAP
As of yesterday evening, the death toll from the Cyclone in Malawi had risen from the initially reported 190 to 225 in a short period of time, over 20 000 people have been displaced, and the worst of fears are yet to come as the fatalities continue to mount. This was reported by a Malawi Member of Parliament attending the Pan African Parliament session in Midrand, South Africa, Hon Steven Mikiya.
Mikiya was giving a statement on behalf of Malawi as the ongoing Pan African Parliament in South Africa.
Mikiya said the Cyclone has wreaked the most havoc in our country’s Southern Region. “The Southern Region, has been hardest hit with widespread heavy rains and strong winds. This caused a rapid rise in water levels and subsequent flooding. Meanwhile, power supply has been disrupted, roads blocked off and rendered impassable and mudslides have also been widely reported,” he said.
He made a special appeal to the PAP: “Where I come from, there is a parable which I would like to share with you which says, “mzako weniweni umamudziwa panthawi ya mavuto.” Simply put, a friend in need is a friend indeed or put loosely, a person who helps at a difficult time is a friend you can rely on.”
Mikiya continued: “Yes! Misfortune has knocked on our door and left in its wake a trail of death and destruction that may take years to fully recover from. However, amidst these difficulties, I have every reason to believe that sometimes when you are in a dark place and think you have been buried, you have actually been planted. My belief, Mr. President, arises out of my faith in this gathering and out of the conviction that it is not coincidental that Cyclone Freddy hit Malawi and Mozambique while the delegations of both countries are here.”
According to Mikiya, the level of destruction, the loss of life, property and the decimation of the entire fabric of established communities has been unprecedented. He noted that all this, is coming at a time when Malawi was starting to show signs of recovery from the deadly COVID-19 pandemic that also came hard on the heels of Cyclone Ana and Cyclone Gombe that left a similar trail of devastation and destruction in Malawi and neighbouring countries.
As of Sunday, this week, from the 12th of March, Malawi and Mozambique have been facing the devastating effects of Cyclone Freddy that made a landfall over Mozambique on Saturday the 11th and reached Malawi by Sunday the 12th of March.
The Malawi legislator said he has absolute faith in the Pan African Parliament, which he described as “a league of nations brought together by a shared ancestry, history, identity as well as our beloved continent which we inhabit”.
Meanwhile, Malawi President, Lazarus Chakwera, has declared a State of Disaster in the affected areas effectively appealing for local and international support for the affected families.
Mikiya appealed to the Pan African Parliament drawing “positive” inspiration from Europe which rallied around Turkey after the destructive earthquakes to bring the much-needed relief and humanitarian aid to the people of Turkey.
He said Africa should demonstrate to the world that the African Union and its Organs are not mere talk shows, but effective institutions which stand up when it matters most.
“Alone, it may take us a lifetime to fully recover, but together, in the Pan-Africanist spirit of Ubuntu, our lives and livelihoods will return to a semblance of normality in record time. This is the time to live by our operative mantra, “One Africa, One Voice.” Mikiya concluded.