29 Jul 2019

The President, Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi, has statutory powers to initiate Kgosi Kgafela II’s return to Botswana, Vice President, Mr Slumber Tsogwane, has said. 

Mr Tsogwane said this when launching Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) prospective parliamentary and council candidates in Mmathubudukwane on July 29.

He accused opposition parties of holding a view that they alone were entitled to campaign or speak about Kgosi Kgafela’s matter and not the BDP.

He, however, said President Masisi had demonstrated that he was a reformist who respected chieftainship. 

Once elected to office, Mr Tsogwane said the prospective parliamentary candidate, Mr Mabuse Pule should be voted so as to initiate dialogue on this matter.

Meanwhile, Mr Tsogwane clarified government’s position on certain issues. 

 He stated that under the leadership of President Masisi, no minister was allowed to be part of any procurement processes, adding that the Public Procurement and Asset Disposal Board was the only institution mandated to conduct procurement procedures.

He also said crime busting institutions such as the Directorate on Corruption and Economic Crime and Financial Intelligence Agency (FIA) were meant to investigate corruption and should be given room to do their work. 

Mr Tsogwane said Botswana Unified Revenue Service’s purpose was to collect tax and if anyone was found to be non-compliant, they would face wrath of the law.

BDP secretary general, Mr Mpho Balopi, warned electorates not to take for granted the peace and stability the country enjoyed.  

He said the BDP-led government ensured that this stability prevailed and consequently pleaded with the constituents to vote for his party in large numbers if they wanted to continue enjoying this harmony.

MP for Sefhare-Ramokgonami and also president of the BDP Women’s Wing, Ms Dorcas Makgato said Mr Pule was an experienced individual, who was conversant with government policies. 

Ms Makgato said she had worked with Mr Pule at the Ministry of Nationality, Immigration and Gender Affairs, therefore she urged Mochudi East constituents, to vote for him because he was a competent leader.

Mr Pule accepted the mandate to represent Mochudi East constituents and vowed to work hard to wrestle it from the opposition.  

 

Eleven prospective council candidates were also presented. ENDS