A week after Hon. Ntuane’s presentation on the budget speech, the Gazette newspaper carried a front page story about Hon. Moyo breaking ranks with his colleagues in the BMD. According to the story, Moyo did not agree with some of the things that were mentioned by Ntuane such as the rationale and effectiveness of some of the programmes introduced under the Khama administration. Apparently, Moyo went further to challenge his colleagues in the opposition to stop criticizing President Khama and tell Batswana what they can do for them. He expressed similar sentiments in an interview that he did with the Telegraph newspaper towards the end of February.
I have no doubt in my mind that after reading the story and the interview in the Gazette and Telegraph newspapers respectively, some people jumped to the conclusion that all is not well at the BMD camp. Some started suspecting that it is just a matter of time before Moyo rejoins the BDP. Others read malice in his statements and viewed them as amounting to a motion of no confidence in his party and the opposition in general.
I did not see anything wrong with what Moyo said. Unlike people who felt uncomfortable with his utterances, I am of the view that he should be applauded for his courage and the level of maturity that he showed when discussing pertinent national issues. He discussed them without fear or favour, a trait that is lacking in most of our politicians. His utterances made me realize that he understands what it means to be a true democrat and a true representative of the people.
As an MP, Moyo knows that his responsibility is not just to make, amend and repeal laws, but also to promote and protect the interests of his constituents to the best of his abilities. This entails assisting people to benefit from various public policies and programmes. And if Moyo strongly believes that Ipelegeng and constituency football tournaments can significantly improve the lives of people in his constituency, why should he be viewed as a detractor for supporting the two programmes? The duty of an opposition MP is not just to criticize the ruling party. It is also to give credit when it is due.
I also salute the Assistant Minister of Local Government, Hon. Rammidi, for breaking ranks with his colleagues in the BDP by advocating for a comprehensive constitutional review. At long last, he has woken up from a very long slumber and is now speaking a language that most of us understand.
It is common knowledge that BDP MPs are given instructions at their parliamentary caucus meetings on how they should debate certain issues as well as how they should vote if the need arises. They are under instruction that all motions from opposition MPs must be rejected with contempt irrespective of how beneficial the same may be to the nation. They are not allowed to criticize or complain about the manner in which things are done within their party or how government business is conducted.
BDP MPs have basically been turned into dummies, robots, zombies or whatever you want to call them. They are not allowed to think. They are gripped by fear. Those who express views that are different from their political masters are labeled indisciplined and power hungry. And swift action is usually taken to cripple, suffocate and cut them to size.
The comments that were recently made by Rammidi in the newspapers about the BDP central committee elections, his support for Daniel Kwelagobe, the election of cabinet members outside parliament, funding of political parties, the direct election of the State President and others, are definitely going to be used to end his political career. There is nothing wrong with what he said. But the price that he is going to pay for complaining about the state of affairs in his constituency is going to be huge.
This is mainly because under President Khama, BDP MPs must be loyal to the leader first and then to the party. Their constituents do not matter as he (Khama) told us during his case with Motswaledi. But who in their right mind would keep quiet when lives of their constituents are taken for granted by health authorities? If MPs cannot fight for the fundamental rights and freedoms of their constituents, who is going to do it?
I have seen seasoned politicians from Britain and the US differing with their leaders in public on pertinent national issues. These men and women never endorse things that they know will get them in trouble with the electorates. The interests of the electorates come before those of their parties. They debate national issues without fear or favour. And most importantly, they are never thrown under the bus for breaking ranks with their colleagues or for protecting the interests of the electorates. There is tolerance of different opinions.
If our MPs were allowed to think and debate national issues freely, then the likes of Hon. Moatlhodi could have easily supported a motion tabled by Hon. Mmolotsi that a commission of inquiry be constituted to look into the final examination crisis that befell the nation last year. If ministers were elected outside parliament as it is done in the US, then President Khama would have the leeway to choose people that he trusts rather than be stuck with those that he can only appoint on temporary basis.
The good thing about appointing people outside parliament is that one does not necessarily need to be a card carrying member of the political party in power. What matters the most is their ability to serve the nation as we see happening with the US Secretary of Defence, Robert Gates. He does not have a constituency but served the American people under the Bush administration and is currently serving them under the Obama administration.
I, therefore, strongly believe that all MPs must be allowed to think, debate and analyze pertinent national issues freely. This will go a long way in improving the quality of our democracy. There is nothing wrong with members of the same political party differing on certain issues that have a direct bearing on the lives of citizens and/or the quality of our democracy. A difference of opinion should not be misconstrued for rivalry or an indication that the party is falling apart.
As for ministers, they must pull up their socks and stop crying when their colleagues complain about poor service delivery. Their childish behaviour of running to the president to lodge a compliant against their colleagues is unhelpful to the developmental efforts of our nation. They must grow up and serve the nation to the best of their ability.
*Dr Mothusi teaches Public Administration a the University of Botswana
