05 Aug 2024

After his decision not to seek re-election in the coming general elections, Member of Parliament for Lobatse, Dr Thapelo Matsheka has appreciated the people of Lobatse for giving him a chance to represent them.

Making a personal statement in Parliament on Friday, Dr Matsheka said that it was a pity that his term as their legislator did not pen out the way he expected, calling it a ‘free entry and forced exit.’

“I thank the young and old people of Lobatse for the faith that they placed on me to be their Member of Parliament. I will use any opportunity to thank you whilst in this House and beyond,” he said.

He also indicated his frustration at what he said was pain and frustration on the developments that he and his constituents had planned for the town.

Dr Matsheka, who was making the statement to mark two years since his arrest for alleged involvement in the disappearance of a child in Lobatse, said that his arrest was unjust.

“I have never in my life been suspected nor asked to account for any wrong doing. I still do not do any wrong to warrant arrest by law enforcement,” he said.

Instead, he said he had and was still contributing to the economy of the country since 40 years back.

He also said it was important that future generations were bequeathed a healthy and vibrant democratic state with no threats to lives of those that hold a different view, even from the authority.

“It can never be a democratic state where people and even representatives in this House are afraid to participate in a debate or differ. We are citizens first and then we can belong to any formation legally recognised,” he said.

He also said there seemed to be a culture of ‘falsifying or fabricating charges or arbitrary arrest’ which he appealed should not be acceptable for any reason in a democratic country.

“Any system holding itself to the highest standard of the rule of law would not be so silent on the face of all that has been happening to citizens,” he said.

He added that the principle of separation of powers was the cornerstone of a democratic and rights based constitution, and was designed to restrict over-reach by the different arms of government. He also appreciated organisations that joined to condemn what he said was his mistreatment, such as the Law Society of Botswana and Ditshwanelo.

He also said he was frustrated that up to today, that there had been no judicial inquiry into his matter, calling it ‘business as usual.’

“These type of things should receive the scorn of all those that profess to protect and defend the constitution of Botswana.

They must receive the strongest condemnation from all proponents of the constitution and they should never be rewarded as they currently are,” he said.

He further said even though law enforcement agencies tried to create out of him an image of a wrongdoer, he would like to thank those that stood with him during his trying times.

He indicated that even as he was bowing out from the life of politics, he still remained clear in spirit and conscience about what he said were falsehoods that were spread about him. ENDS