* But believes will come back to BDP

President Mokgweetsi Masisi, who is also leader of Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) has expressed deep disappointment in former Minister of Health, Dr Edwin Dikoloti, who he said had let him down despite being entrusted with key responsibilities.

Speaking at the launch of Peggy Serame’s candidacy in Mmathethe this past Sunday, Masisi outlined the reasons for his disillusionment with Dikoloti, citing failed leadership and poor decision making.

Masisi did not hold back as he explained how he had placed his faith in Dikoloti, elevating him to high ranking positions within the government.

“Nnake o ke tsereng lobaka ke mo pepetletsa, ke mo ruta tiro, ke mmolaisa maemo, ke mo thiba, ke mo gakolola, ke bipa, ke kgalema kere lephata kele la botsogo ga le tsamae sentle mme ke neneketsa ka ne kere ke a godisa a ntsholola,” Masisi said in Setswana.

This translates to: “I took time teaching my younger brother the work, giving him higher positions, protecting him, covering for him, and showing him that the Ministry of Health was not doing well. I did all this because I thought I was helping him grow, but he ended up disappointing me.”

According to Masisi, one of Dikoloti’s major shortcomings was his failure to fully embrace and promote the BDP’s manifesto. Instead of championing the party’s policies, Dikoloti began using the slogan “Wena Beula,” which Masisi pointed out had long been discouraged by the party.

“He went and used the slogan ‘Wena Beula’ that the party had long warned him about. The party told him repeatedly that he was not preaching the BDP manifesto but rather this slogan,” Masisi said.

The president expressed regret that despite all the efforts made to support and guide Dikoloti, the former minister had chosen to deviate from the party’s vision. This, Masisi noted, was a clear

indication of Dikoloti’s disconnect from the core principles of the BDP.

Masisi went on to reveal that the BDP had long suspected that there were external forces influencing Dikoloti’s actions. These suspicions, he said, were now confirmed that former President Lieutenant General Ian Khama had been identified as the figure leading Dikoloti astray.

Masisi explained that through information gathered via the internet, it became clear that Khama was behind Dikoloti’s departure from the party's ideals.

Khama’s influence became even more apparent during the Botswana Patriotic Front (BPF) manifesto launch, where he openly urged his followers to vote for Dikoloti instead of Peggy Serame.

“We now know who has been leading Dikoloti astray. It is no longer a suspicion; it is now confirmed. Former President Khama, through the internet, has been revealed to be the one pulling Dikoloti away from the party’s principles,” Masisi cdeclared.

Masisi accused Dikoloti of leaking sensitive information from private party meetings. The president alleged that Dikoloti had been secretly sending out messages during confidential BDP gatherings, encouraging individuals outside the meetings to make the information public.

“We now know who has been leaking private conversations to the public. Dikoloti is the suspect. In some instances, he would sit at the back and start sending people outside the convened meeting messages, instructing them to post them,” Masisi disclosed.

Despite his evident disappointment, Masisi urged BDP supporters to avoid speaking harshly of Dikoloti, emphasising that he believed the former minister was merely lost and could still return to the party. The president called on attendees to pray for Dikoloti, expressing hope that he would eventually come back to the BDP fold.

“I still need him,” Masisi said. “I thought I was guiding him well, but he left when I did not expect it. He was promising. Should he come back, I will make sure that I guide him seriously this time, but if he chooses to go to the BPF, he will be cursing himself.”

Shifting focus to the candidate at the centre of the rally, President Masisi praised Peggy Serame, describing her as the perfect fit to represent the Goodhope-Mmathethe constituency. He highlighted Serame’s strong qualifications and her history of service to the country as key reasons to elect her to Parliament.

“Serame is a good listener, she takes orders, and she has contributed significantly to this country. Her qualifications make her the ideal candidate for this constituency,” Masisi said.

He advised that all other candidates contesting against her should consider withdrawing from the race, stating that none of them possessed qualifications that could compare to Serame’s.

Masisi urged all BDP supporters and democrats in the area to rally behind Serame in the upcoming elections. He emphasised the importance of maintaining party unity and ensuring that the constituency is represented by someone with the knowledge and dedication to push forward the BDP’s manifesto.