''Saleshando a coward, hides behind parley immunity' - Masisi
The leader of Botswana Democratic Party (BDP), President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi has dared the leader of Botswana Congress Party, Dumelang Saleshando to repeat allegations of corruption against him outside of parliamentary immunity.
Masisi described Saleshando as a “coward” for his reluctance to do so knowing fully well that his claims would not stand scrutiny in a legal setting. Masisi made the bold challenge during a star rally in Goodhope where he insisted that BDP remains the “foremost choice for Batswana.”
Masisi said opposition parties lack innovative ideas, often presenting manifestos filled with lofty promises of increased wealth without a sustainable means of achieving it. He criticised their tendency to mimic initiatives like "Chema Chema" and "Mokgokolosa," portraying them as lacking originality and substance.
Furthermore, Masisi warned voters against supporting opposition parties, cautioning that their internal conflicts could plunge the nation into turmoil. He praised the ongoing infrastructure development across Botswana, as an affirmation that the government is actively ensuring accessibility to services, including the internet, even in remote areas.
Since assuming office in 2019, Masisi highlighted efforts to address landlessness among citizens by providing agricultural and other supportive schemes. He underscored government's commitment to improving the lives of Batswana, citing significant investments earmarked for this purpose in the current fiscal year.
Masisi also expressed confidence in the capability of Batswana to take on major contracts, hinting at a future where local participation in such projects would be the norm. He teased about forthcoming developments in the health sector, particularly in response to lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic, aimed at ensuring continuous access to medication.
Emphasising youth empowerment, Masisi encouraged young Batswana to persevere and seize economic opportunities, particularly through initiatives like "Chema Chema." He urged citizens to register to vote and pledged that the BDP would steer Botswana towards a brighter future.
Meanwhile, President Masisi implored BDP supporters to ignore the counsel of candidates who were rejected by the party's vetting process, especially if the individuals criticise the BDP or urge supporters to abandon the party. Masisi emphasised that it was more important for members to prioritise the success of the BDP as a whole, rather than individual candidates who had been deemed unsuitable.
"Do not heed the words of those who urge you to be angry with the party because they were not selected as candidates. Instead, support the party as a whole, not individual candidates who failed to meet our standards,” Masisi cautioned.
“In some areas, the party will choose who runs in the election,” Masisi said. He informed the party faithful that in certain areas, the party would exercise its power to handpick candidates, effectively shutting out any applicants from those areas which were deemed unsuitable by the party's vetting process.
In his address, Masisi elaborated on the reasons why certain council candidates would not be approved by the BDP's vetting process.
According to the party president, some applicants had been deemed "ill-mannered, rude, arrogant, and disrespectful" by the party, and as such, were deemed unsuitable for the role of councillor. Masisi underscored the party's intolerance for such behaviour and emphasised that it would not be countenanced.
The party president went on to explain that in certain wards, the BDP's regional committees had made the decision to run only one candidate in the election, bypassing the primary elections process altogether. Conversely, in other areas, multiple BDP candidates would compete in primary elections before advancing to the general election.
Masisi reassured BDP supporters of the party's overall health, emphasising that the party was "fit, healthy, and proper."
The President sought to quell any concerns that party members may have had about the BDP's internal dynamics or prospects for electoral success, urging them to remain confident in the party's strength