How BDP intends to win Goodhope-Mabule
News
Fankie, Molale campaign together
Next weekend, Goodhope-Mabule constituency will be voting for their Member of Parliament after the resignation of James Mathokgwane. By all counts, stakes are high at the Barolong land and all the three contesting parties want to have an impact on the election results.
The bookmakers have penned a battle between Minister of Presidential Affairs and Public Administration, Eric Molale of the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP); and Paramount chief of Barolong, Kgosi Lotlaamoreng II of the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC). But Comfort Molale Molosiwa of the Botswana congress Party (BCP) is also hard at work – and he may just be the difference between winning and losing the constituency.
The constituency has been a stronghold of the BDP since the first election in 1965, but the UDC believes that the BDP’s first loss in 48 years in the area is a sign that people have given up on the ruling party. On the other hand the BCP takes the view that it knows how to prepare for a bye-election and it may just snatch under the feet of both the BDP and the UDC.
High confidence levels among UDC faithful, fuelled by the fact that they are represented by a paramount chief has forced the BDP to go for an all-out war. They have unleashed almost everyone in the party’s hierarchy – and the instruction is simple – bring the constituency. The BDP campaign in the area is expected to be punctuated by President Lt Gen Ian Khama last minutes’ shock and owes in several villages. There are 14 villages in the constituency.
The BDP also intends to exploit the “Barolong ba Baikuedi” debate. This is a group of Barolong who do not fall under Kgosi Lotlaamoreng’s rule. According to the Tribal Territories’ Act they are under the Bangwaketse. Lotlaamoreng has jurisdiction over the area and the views of the Barolong in that territory is that they are not being listened to because they have long asked to be incorporated into the other Borolong. Lotlaamoreng has not pursued the matter aggressively.
The BDP also gains confidence from the knowledge that some villages in the Borolong area are not predominatly Rolong. There are areas populated by Xhosas, Basotho, Bangwaketse, and Bahurutshe, among other tribes in the constituency. But it is clear that Lotlaamoreng’s paramount chief status is overwhelming the BDP and they are forced to do beyond electioneering if they are to beat him.
For many, it is not about the UDC, but more about Lotlaamoreng as he does not want to be the first paramount chief to lose an election, many question whether his tribe could desert him. Indications are that many Dikgosi are surreptitiously supporting Lotlaamoreng because his win will continue to prove how influential they are in communities.
The BDP has lined up four Members of Parliament for every village in the constituency as campaign teams backed by members of other party structures, the Women’s Wing and Youth Wing. In the groups of four, they are at least two cabinet members. The Ministers are also expected to take advantage and address kgotla meetings to spell out government policies and promises for the Barolong.
The Members of Parliament will be engaged in house to house campaigns every time they are at their workstations.
As part of the grand scheme, disgruntled Kenaleone Fankie Motsaathebe has been seen with candidate Eric Molale at almost every venue. Motsaathebe lost the BDP primary election in a controversial fashion last month. He had threatened the party with court action but later readjusted his bearings.
Being with Molale at public spaces gives semblance of cooperation and peace hence Motsaathebe’s numbers should boost Molale. The BDP believes that what matters most is to ensure that all BDP members who are on the Voters’ roll vote for the BDP.
Vice President Mokgweetsi Masisi is expected to address a star rally and launch of candidate Molale this weekend and at the same rally a number of prominent opposition functionaries will be displayed as the latest BDP loot from the opposition ranks. Lately BDP secretary general, Botsalo Ntuane has elevated his rivalry with the BCP to dizzy levels, conniving with BCP members to rattle the self-proclaimed stable party.
Ntuane has not seen eye to eye with the BCP since his Botswana Movement for Democracy (BMD) days. Masisi’s rally will be a prelude for President Ian Khama who will sweep through the constituency like a tornado. Khama has always been BDP’s trump card and he is expected to address BDP’s handicap of not fielding a person of royal blood.
News
GAMBLING AUTHORITY SHARES BEST PRACTICES WITH UK-BASED GAMBLING COMMISSION
The Gambling Authority continues to collaborate with international organisations and other jurisdictions to combat illegal gambling activities and share best practices for regulation of the industry.
Just recently (last week), the Gambling Authority Board Chairman, Mr. Marvin Thokodzani Torto, and Acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Mr. Emolemo Peter Kesitilwe visited the United Kingdom (UK), Birmingham-based Gambling Commission on a benchmarking exercise aimed at maximising benefits of gambling to the economy while minimising harm to individuals and society.
The Gambling Commission is an executive, non-departmental public body of the Government of the United Kingdom responsible for regulating gambling and supervising gaming law in Great Britain.
During the visit, the Gambling Commission shared with the Gambling Authority how they regulate the industry in Great Britain, how it’s changed over the years, and how their learnings can assist the Gambling Authority as they enter a new era of growth and expansion with the desire to implement industry best practice for their future work.
Furthermore, the two entities discussed various measures aimed at preventing gambling from being a source of crime or disorder, being associated with crime or disorder or being used to support crime, as well as ensuring that gambling is conducted in a fair and open way, and further protecting children and other vulnerable persons from being harmed or exploited by gambling.
The meeting also provided a timely opportunity to catch up on preparations for the upcoming International Association of Gaming Regulators (IAGR) event being held in Gaborone, Botswana next month (October 16th – 19th, 2023).
“We’re looking forward to attending and meeting other gambling regulators from across the world to share best practice, discuss common challenges and tackle illegal gambling in ways that makes regulation work for all. Many thanks to Mr Marvin Thokodzani Torto (Chair) and Mr Peter Emolemo Kesitilwe (Acting CEO) for taking the time to visit us,” read a communique from Gambling Commission.
News
Civil society reflect on Botswana’s progress in SDGs
This week, the civil society assembled and reflected on the status of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The organizations, Botswana Council of Non-Governmental Organizations (BOCONGO), Global Call for Action Against Poverty as well as Success Capital congregated to recommend priorities for Botswana’s progress in Agenda 2030.
This year (2023) marks the mid-point, with only seven years left to accelerate climate action, eliminating poverty, hunger and ensure gender equality among thirteen other SDGs. The civil society says the global commitment has been integrated across national development plans and aligned to regional integration mechanisms and multilateral interventions.
“Botswana should not be an exception to ensuring the fulfilment of the SDGs: from ensuring capacity to collect data, to addressing governance shortcomings and service delivery. The People’s Assembly joins the rest of the world in galvanizing stakeholders towards ensuring no one is left behind.”
Civil society indicated that it ensured priority issues were raised at 2022’s Voluntary National Reviews that the government reported on; illuminating the gaps and aspirations for more meaningful engagement and inclusion.
“This year, challenges and shortcomings remain the same. Increasing concerns on gender-based violence, safety, media freedom, civil society resourcing, stigma, discrimination, non-communicable diseases and HIV/AIDS among other notable health challenges across the public health spectrum. We continue to raise concern across different platforms and mechanisms to ensure commitments are fulfilled and shortcomings addressed,” the civil society said.
The civil society called on Botswana to strengthen the baseline for measuring and collecting data on SDGs. “We also call on government to strengthen avenues for collaborative partnerships that leave no one behind. Representation in social participation mechanisms should reflect those most impacted. This should translate to expanding ‘who’ and ‘how’ communities and civil society are invited to decision making mechanisms.”
“Harnessing the demographic dividend of Botswana’s youth and diverse communities should be institutionalized and encouraged under the mindset change campaign. We implore for increased opportunities for dialogue and complimentary implementation in ensuring no one is left behind by engaging civil society meaningfully. This includes formal inclusion, representation and resourcing for civil society to participate in national, regional and global fora”
Furthermore, the civil society called on the private sector to engage them to advance the SDGs. “Multisectoral approaches can only strengthen development outcomes if hard-to-reach communities are included. We are on the ground as complimentary partners to the country’s development agenda.”
BOCONGO Executive Director, Maipelo Phale, said for SDGs to be accelerated, implemented and realized, all sectors of society should come up with robust partnership models to leverage the country’s development agenda.
“The People’s Assembly is a collective global form of solidarity and action reflecting how even with limited resources020, we can gather and unite for accelerating progress for the Decade of Action. Our members should continuously engage for our issues to be heard in spaces such as the United Nations General Assembly.”
Success Capital Founder, Dumiso Gatsha said Botswana is leading in reported rape incidents and inequality, stressing that this should not reflect in SDG progress and implementation.
“We should harness our leadership at the World Health Organization’s Executive Board, Southern African Development Committee (SADC) Secretariat and SADC Parliamentary Forum to improve Botswana civil society engagement. This can only be achieved through harnessing, strengthening and including grassroots civil society, communities and groups in Vision 2036 and Agenda 2063.”
News
BPS, Mosala Funeral Parlour butt heads over SA national remains
A squabble has broken out between Pule Mosala Funeral Parlour and the Botswana Police Service (BPS) over the remains of a South African national who has been in the Mosala mortuary for more than nineteen months. The deceased was one of 10 suspects who were controversially shot dead during a lengthy shootout with law enforcement authorities in Gaborone’s Phase 2 early last year.
The deceased individual’s family based in Soweto, has encountered difficulties in repatriating the body which has been in the care of Mosala Mortuary Services. Following the incident, it has emerged that all 10 bodies were transported to PFG mortuary in Lobatse for a brief period while the police attempted to locate their next of kin. It is reported that the families of the deceased were eventually identified and informed to come and identify their loved ones, including other South African nationals who were part of the criminal group. These families also witnessed the autopsy procedures conducted at Princess Marina Hospital in Gaborone.
Except for the family from Soweto, nine of the bodies were claimed and taken by their separate relatives. The Soweto family claims they lack the resources to bring the body back to South Africa and has made it known that they are looking for money. To end the supposed verbal agreement over the body’s storage for repatriation, Mosala Funeral Service has filed a case against the police at the Lobatse High Court.
According to Keakantse Mmotlhana, the company’s Sales and Marketing Manager, 10 people who were killed in Phase 2 by gunfire were all temporarily transferred to one of PFG’s branches in Lobatse by the police while efforts were made to find their next of kin. She expressed outrage at the statement made by the Minister of Defense and Security, recently.
After Assistant Police Commissioner Dipheko Motube called her office to apologize for giving the Minister wrong information during a news conference, she confirmed that they had accepted the apologies. He made it clear that one of the victims was still at Pule Mortuary in Lobatse.
Bushie Mosala, the director and owner of Mosala Funeral Services, confirmed that the body of a South African national has been in his mortuary for the past nineteen months. He expressed his desire for the police to remove the corpse from the mortuary, characterising the situation as a “nightmare.” He has instructed his legal team to file a lawsuit against the police in the Lobatse High Court concerning the body.
Mosala urged the acting Police Commissioner to come forward and apologize to the nation for the situation, asserting that the public has the right to know the truth regarding the body of the South African national, w
C -002Bhich was preserved by the police as evidence.
The South African High Commission in Gaborone had not responded to queries from Weekend Post at the time going of going to press.