Pilane demands Motswaledi death report

The President of Botswana Movement for Democracy (BMD), Advocate Sydney Pilane this week broke silence about the much anticipated investigation report of former leader, the late Gomolelmo Motswaledi. The newly-elected leader was voted at the party’s controversial elective congress in Bobonong last month. “I do not know anything about that report. I do not know who instituted an investigation. I do not know who conducted an investigation.

I do not know whether there is even a report that exists,” Advocate Pilane said.After the death of Motswaledi, members of the public were asked to donate money into an account that was opened by Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC), to pay those investigating his death. Since that time UDC leaders have been playing hide and seek about the report. The last time the nation was updated about the report was two years ago when UDC leader, Duma Boko said the investigations were still ongoing. At that time it was said Pilane helped the party with the investigations.

But he only confirmed that he gave accommodation to Private Investigator and paid the bill. He said the bill amounted to P16 000. “I am aware that members of the public were invited to make contributions in order to pay investigators. I do not know whether it was the BMD or UDC that was doing all of that. I see this report written about in newspapers. I hear spoken about it on radios.

Ga ke itse. Le fa gotwe ke a itse,” said Pilane.According to Pilane his members of the National Executive Committee (NEC) have agreed to discuss the report and those who have information about it will be asked to say what is in the report. “We want them to tell us what is the report all about. Who did the investigations? Who took money from people? As NEC OF BMD we will write to that person to account to the nation,” he said adding that as new leadership of BMD they want the nation to be told the truth about the report because money was taken from them.

“We want people to know that we are truthful. Bolelang sechaba gore report ya reng. Gatwe go bonwe eng. Was Motswaledi killed or not. If he was killed who killed him. I promise that whatever the report says as BMD NEC, my belief is that it must be published. “If it is us in BMD who took money from members of the public we will request that an accounting be done. Every thebe that was contributed should be accounted for,” vowed Advocate Pilane. He said the nation must be told the truth whether it is in favour of the party or not so that people can trust them.

“We want to take power in 2019 as UDC, but you have to trust us. We must create a basis for trust unlike the ruling party that is not trusted,” added Pilane. After the death of Motswaledi, police issued a press release saying there was no foul play. Motswaledi died on the 30th July 2014 due to a fatal road accident. “The investigations reveal that Mr. Motswaledi’s death was the result of a road accident unindicted by any foul play,” states the release issued by Commissioner of Botswana Police Service, Keabetswe Makgophe.