Batswana live in fear under Khama – Kapinga

Former Botswana Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Kenny Kapinga came with guns blazing this week attacking his former boss, President Ian Khama, saying Batswana are living in fear because of him.

Just when the former Police boss was about to be appointed Police Commissioner, he was instead deployed to the then Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, allegedly because he was perceived as of member of the opposition.
This week, Kapinga was officially welcomed into the Botswana Congress Party (BCP) ranks following months of speculation after he quit his post in Zimbabwe this year.

“There is a certain behaviour by the ruling Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) that compromises the people of Botswana.  I do not believe in strongman. I do not believe that a person should be more powerful that the nation.  I do not believe that anybody who has been put into a position through a vote should keep a nation in fear,” said the former Police chief.

According to Kapinga, what is currently happening in the country is a disaster. “A nation is held at ransom. Somebody is holding the whole nation in fear. His own party and Parliament is in fear. Almost everybody lives in fear,” said Kapinga, adding that the President himself also lives in fear.
Kapinga’s main worry was that his children will be sidelined because he is associated with the opposition. “With the current systems in place by the BDP, I have no confidence in government and even fear for my children’s future especially that they carry the Kapinga surname,” he said, adding that his was an exile when he was an ambassador, not that the President had confidence in him. He has only served for four years and six months in the Foreign Service, which he spent between South Africa and Zimbabwe.

He said he is ready to be given any assignment to represent the people of Okavango. BCP leader, Dumelang Saleshando said Kapinga’s experience will help in the opposition cooperation talks. “Kapinga’s background is rich and we tried to keep his recruitment a secret to allow those recruiting him space to deal with the matter,” said Saleshando.

Kapinga joined Botswana Police Service in 1983 as a police constable. After 18 months the young Kapinga was enlisted as a cadet Sub-Inspector and he rose through the ranks up to the position of Deputy Police Commissioner.