UDC awaits BMD Congress
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The Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) leadership has resolved not to interfere in the ongoing stand-off involving members of the Botswana Movement for Democracy (BMD) National Executive Committee (NEC), instead choosing to allow the party to resolve own differences.
The seven year-old Botswana Democracy Party (BDP) splinter party has met for its biennial elective congress where the current NEC will be dissolved and a new one elected. Both the BMD and the UDC stalwarts will be pinning their hopes on the party delegates to resolve the stand-off. So far majority of the BMD regions have declared their support for the party president and his deputy on the eve of the highly anticipated congress.
This publication has established that UDC has avoided publicly taking sides on the ongoing impasse. A few months ago, the Nehemiah Modubule faction wrote a letter to UDC informing them of the party’s decision to suspend and later expel party president, Ndaba Gaolathe and his deputy, Wynter Mmolotsi. The two leaders have since informed the UDC that the NEC does not have the powers to suspend or expel them – a communication that puts the UDC in a tight corner.
Both Gaolathe and Mmolotsi are members of the UDC executive by the virtue of their positions in the contracting partner, the BMD. A few weeks ago, the UDC spokesperson, Moeti Mohwasa confirmed receiving the letters from the BMD secretariat on the decision to suspend the duo, who sits in the UDC executive committee. Mohwasa said the party is still studying the documents, but since then no decision has been taken by the Umbrella party leadership.
This week, the Leader of Opposition in Parliament, Duma Boko, who is currently abroad delegated Gaolathe to assume the duties of Leader of Opposition in parliament while Mmolotsi also continued with his duties as Opposition whip. This has however not been received well by those who side with the Modubule faction. They are of the view that the BMD NEC decision has not been recognised by the UDC hierarchy.
Boko has reiterated on number of occasions of his reluctance to involve himself in the BMD matters opting to keep mum on the matter. However, earlier this year he told Botswana Congress Party Youth League (BCPYL) conference that he is confident BMD will resolve its own problems. Speaking to this publication, former Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, Pono Moatlhodi, revealed that the suspended/ expelled individuals remain the UDC Members of Parliament until they inform the Speaker in writing of their decision to change political parties. He said the ongoing problem at the UDC is that so far they have only heard the side of Modubule, which would be insufficient for the mother party to make a decision before listening to the side of the other faction.
Botswana National Front Youth League (BNFYL) President Khumoekae Richard has publicly declared his support for Gaolathe and expressed that he does so to protect the UDC against losing one its vital cogs. Richard is currently abroad in Canada pursuing his post graduate studies. This publication has also established that among those who have took a stand in the BMD leadership crisis is Noah Salakae, a Member of Parliament for Ghanzi North who said, Gilbert Mangole, who authored the letter purporting to have expelled the BMD leader and his deputy, should have instead resigned himself rather than making such decision.
Other who sympathises with Gaolathe in the BNF, include veteran MP and former party chairman Abraham Kesupile who has reportedly expressed concern with decision to suspend party president without convening a special congress. That was before the other faction took the decision the expel them. When the BMD concludes its congress in Bobonong this long weekend, Gaolathe will be retained as President or one of Dr Tlamelo Mmatli or Sidney Pilane could be leading the party. The Modubule faction is divided on the presidency of Pilane although the majority of them are neither sure of Dr Mmatli’s leadership acumen.
DIS distances itself from BMD chaos
Meanwhle the DIS has come out guns blazing dismissing reports linking them to a “2016 top secret Project Proposal” aimed at distabilising the BMD. DIS Director General Isaac Kgosi has challenged those who have the alleged report to produce it as evidence andf further indicated that his organisation has been subjected to a barrage of unsubstantiated claims.
Kgosi points out that the Intelligence and Security Act 2007 clearly outlines how they should perform their functions, “no act shall be performed that could give rise to any reasonable suspicion that the Directorate is concerned in furthering, protecting or undermining the interests of any particular section of the population or of any political party or other organisation in Botswana.” Kgosi said Batswana should hold them against this Act, because it is their guiding principle.
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The curtain came down at the PAP session with pomp and FUNFAIR
It was pomp and funfair at the Pan-African Parliament (PAP) on March 18 as the African Cultural Music and Dance Association (ACUMDA) brought the curtains down on the PAP session with a musical performance.
The occasion was the celebration of the Pan-African Parliament Day (PAP Day) which commemorated the inauguration of the first Parliament of the PAP on 18 March 2004 at the African Union Headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
The celebrations took place at the seat of the Parliament in Midrand to “reflect on the journey” as the institution turns 19. The event sought to retrace the origin and context of the establishment of the PAP.
The celebrations included musical performances by ACUMDA and a presentation by Prof. Motshekga Mathole of the Kara Heritage Institute on “Whither Pan-Africanism, African Culture, and Heritage.”
The PAP Day was officially launched in 2021 to educate citizens about the Continental Parliament and ignite conversations about its future in line with its mandate.
The establishment of the PAP among the AU organs signalled a historical milestone and the most important development in the strengthening of the AU institutional architecture. It laid solid groundwork for democratic governance and oversight within the African Union system and provided a formal “platform for the peoples of Africa to get involved in discussions and decision-making on issues affecting the continent.”
The genesis of the PAP can be legally traced back to 1991 with the adoption of the Treaty Establishing the African Economic Community, adopted on June 3, 1991, in Abuja (also known as the Abuja Treaty). This treaty defined the pillars and grounds for realizing economic development and integration in Africa and called for the creation of a continental parliament, among a set of other organs, as tools for the realization of African integration and economic development. This call was reemphasized in the Sirte Declaration of 1999, which called for the accelerated implementation of the provisions of the Abuja Treaty.
PAP celebrated its ten years of existence in March 2014, a year which coincided with the adoption, on June 27, 2014, in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, of the Protocol to the Constitutive Act of the African Union relating to the Pan-African Parliament (PAP Malabo Protocol), which, once in force, will transform the PAP into a legislative body of the AU. It requires a minimum of 28 countries to ratify it before it comes into force.
Therefore, the commemoration of PAP Day serves as a reminder to the decision-makers around the continent to fulfil their commitment to the PAP by ratifying its Protocol, 19 years after sanctioning its establishment. 14 AU member states have so far ratified the Malabo Protocol.
The celebrations of PAP Day coincided with the closing ceremony of the sitting of the PAP Permanent Committees and other organs. The Sitting took place in Midrand, South Africa under the AU theme for 2023, “Accelerating the implementation of African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA)” from 6 to 17 March 2023.
PAP President, H.E. Chief Fortune Charumbira, expressed appreciation to members for their commitment during the two-week engagement.
“We have come to the end of our program, and it is appropriate that we end on a high note with the PAP Day celebrations.
“We will, upon your return to your respective countries, ensure that the work achieved over the past two weeks is transmitted to the national level for the benefit of our citizens,” concluded H.E. Chief Charumbira.
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PAP needs to priorities land issues-Prof Mathole
Prof Motshekga Mathole of the Kara Heritage Institute has advised the Pan-African Parliament (PAP) to prioritise the land issue in the continent if they are to remain relevant.
He said this while addressing the Plenary during the commemoration of PAP Day held at the PAP Chambers in Midrand, South Africa
The PAP Day was officially launched in 2021 to commemorate the inauguration of the first Parliament on 18 March 2004 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Intended as a platform for people of all African states to be involved in discussions and decision-making on problems and challenges facing the continent.
In a speech titled “Whither Pan-Africanism, African Culture, and Heritage,” Prof Mathole stated that for PAP to remain relevant, it must address the continent’s key land dilemma, which he feels is the core cause of all problems plaguing the continent
“If this Parliament is to be taken seriously, ownership of land and natural resources must be prioritized at the national and continental levels. Africans are not poor; they are impoverished by imperialist nations that continue to hold African land and natural resources,” said Prof Mathole.
“When African leaders took power from colonialists, they had to cope with poverty, unemployment, and other issues, but they ignored land issues. That is why Africa as a whole is poor today. Because our land and minerals are still in the hands of colonizers, Africa must rely on Ukraine for food and Europe for medical.”
Prof Mathole believes that the organization of the masses is critical as cultural revolution is the only solution to Africa’s most problems.
“We need a cultural revolution for Africa, and that revolution can only occur if the masses and people are organized. First, we need a council of African monarchs since they are the keepers of African arts, culture, and heritage. We need an African traditional health practitioners council because there is no ailment on the planet that cannot be healed by Africans; the only problem is that Africans do not harvest and process their own herbs,” he said.
Meanwhile, PAP President, H.E. Hon Chief Fortune Charumbira expressed satisfaction with the commitment displayed throughout the two-week period and said the PAP Day celebrations were befitting curtains down to the august event.
“On this high note of our two-week engagement, it is appropriate that we close our program on a high note with PAP celebrations, and I would like to thank everyone for your commitment, and please continue to be committed,” said H.E Hon Chief Charumbira.
PAP’s purpose as set out in Article 17 of the African Union Constitutive Act, is “to ensure the full participation of African people in the development and economic integration of the continent”. As it stands, the mandate of the Parliament extends to consultation and playing an advisory and oversight role for all AU organs pending the ratification protocol.
Also known as the Malabo Protocol, the Protocol to the consultative act of the AU relating to the PAP was adopted at the Assembly of Heads of State and Government summit in June 2014 and is intended to extend the powers of the PAP into a fully-fledged legislative organ. It requires a minimum of 28 countries to ratify it before it comes into force.
The commemoration of the PAP Day, therefore, serves as a reminder to the decision-makers around the continent to fulfil their commitment to the PAP by ratifying its Protocol, 17 years after sanctioning its establishment. 14 AU member states have so far ratified the Malabo Protocol.
The PAP Day commemoration also aims to educate citizens about the PAP and ignite conversations about the future of the continental Parliament in line with its mandate.
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DPP drops Kably threat to kill case
The Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) Chief Whip and Member of Parliament for Letlhakeng/Lephephe Liakat Kably has welcomed the Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP)’s decision not to prosecute BDP councillor, Meshack Tshenyego who allegedly threatened to kill him. However, the legislator has warned that should anything happen to his life, the state and the courts will have to account.
In an interview with this publication, Kablay said he has heard that the DPP has declined to prosecute Tshenyego in a case in which he threatened to kill him adding that the reasons he received are that there was not enough evidence to prosecute. “I am fine and at peace with the decision not to prosecute over evidential deficits but I must warn that should anything happen to my life both the DPP and the Magistrate will have to account,” Kablay said.
Connectedly, Kably said he has made peace with Tshenyego, “we have made peace and he even called me where upon we agreed to work for the party and bury the hatchet”.
The DPP reportedly entered into a Nolle Prosequi in the matter, meaning that no action would be taken against the former Letlhakeng Sub-district council chairperson and currently councillor for Matshwabisi.
According to the charge sheet before the Court, councilor Tshenyego on July 8th, 2022 allegedly threatened MP Kably by indirectly uttering the following words to nominatedcouncilor Anderson Molebogi Mathibe, “Mosadi wa ga Liakat le ban aba gagwe ba tsile go lela, Mosadi wame le banake le bone ba tsile go lela. E tla re re mo meeting, ka re tsena meeting mmogo, ke tla mo tlolela a bo ke mmolaya.”
Loosely translated this means, Liakat’s wife and children are going to shed tears and my wife and kids will shed tears too. I will jump on him and kill him during a meeting.
Mathibe is said to have recorded the meeting and forwarded it to Kably who reported the matter to the police.
In a notice to the Magistrate Court to have the case against Tshenyego, acting director of Public Prosecutions, Wesson Manchwe cited the nolle prosequi by the director of public prosecution in terms of section 51 A (30) of the Constitution and section 10 of the criminal procedure and evidence act (CAP 08:02) laws of Botswana as reasons for dropping the charges.
A nolle prosequi is a formal notice of abandonment by a plaintiff or prosecutor of all or part of a suit or action.
“In pursuance of my powers under section 51 A (300 of the Constitution and section 10 of the criminal procedure and evidence act (CAP 08:02) laws of Botswana, I do hereby stop and discontinue criminal proceedings against the accused Meshack Tshenyego in the Kweneng Administrative District, CR.No.1077/07/2022 being the case of the State vs Tshenyego,” said Manchwe. The acting director had drafted the notice dropping the charges on 13th day of March 2023.
The case then resumed before the Molepolole Magistrate Solomon Setshedi on the 14th of March 2023. The Magistrate issued an order directing “that matters be withdrawn with prejudice to the State, accused is acquitted and discharged.”