HAUNTED
Former Cabinet Minister and Member of Parliament, Unity Dow is once again locked in a battle against anonymous social media accounts she says are spreading lies and poisoning Botswana’s political discourse.
Dow, known for taking on powerful opponents, previously went head-to-head with the notorious Facebook account “France Museveni” during the heated build-up to the 2024 General Elections.
At the time, she accused the account of cyberbullying, harassment and defamation, claiming it repeatedly targeted her with damaging allegations while hiding behind a fake identity and stolen profile picture.
Speaking at a press conference in 2022, Dow warned that anonymous online attacks had become a threat to democracy and questioned why authorities were failing to act against individuals allegedly using social media to spread propaganda and confidential information.
Following the change of government, the once vocal “France Museveni” account disappeared from the public spotlight. However, another controversial account, “Happy Omang,” has now emerged, making explosive claims about Dow and internal battles within the Botswana Congress Party (BCP).
In a series of Facebook posts, the account alleged that Dow was influencing BCP President Dumelang Saleshando to pursue a working relationship with the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP).
The posts further claimed that influential figures within the BDP were secretly backing a Dow-aligned faction inside the BCP.
The account also made sensational allegations involving Dow Academy, claiming secret documents showed that shares would be given to Loago Saleshando in exchange for convincing his father, Dumelang Saleshando, to back Dow over rival faction leader, Taolo Lucas.
It further alleged that a secret agreement had been struck between a Dow-aligned BCP faction and the BDP ahead of the 2029 General Elections, with claims of future government positions already being discussed for figures including Mpho Balopi, Dow and Dr Gobotswang.
Dow has strongly pushed back against the claims and has now called on the public to help expose the real identity behind the “Happy Omang” account.
“Someone out there knows who this vicious coward is. Let this be a public project,” Dow said, while also questioning why law enforcement agencies and the Directorate of Intelligence and Security Services (DISS) had not acted against the account.
The anonymous account has also targeted media houses. In one post, it accused The Midweek Sun and sister publication, Botswana Guardian of allegedly being used in a coordinated campaign to discredit Health Minister Stephen Modise over his alleged anti-corruption drive within the Ministry of Health.
The accusation followed publication of a story examining growing allegations of intimidation, internal conflict and administrative interference surrounding Modise’s leadership as the country continues to battle medicine shortages and unrest within the public health sector.
However, only Public Relations officials within the Ministry of Health and officials in Modise’s office were aware that questions for the story had initially been sent using The Midweek Sun letterhead before the article was eventually published in Botswana Guardian.
The questionnaire had been sent to both the Ministry’s Public Relations office and the Minister’s office, a newsroom standard practice that has never been portrayed as a coordinated attack by two publications.
Meanwhile, as online attacks intensify, Dow has officially entered the race for the BCP vice presidency under the “Team Unity” slate.
The team includes Dumelang Saleshando for president, Dow for vice president, Sennye Obuseng for chairperson, Emmanuel Maite for secretary general, Refiloe Aphiri for deputy secretary general, Obaken Moumakwa for treasurer and Gregory Kelebonye for publicity secretary.
Dow said every BCP member, whether old or new, has the right to contest internal elections and argued that leadership diversity is important for the party’s future.
Reflecting on her experience as a judge, minister and politician, Dow said she believes she still has valuable lessons and leadership skills to offer the party.