Tuesday, November 5, 2024

BDP candidates received DIS money, claim Tawana and Mmolotsi

Two Members of Parliament have accused the Directorate of Intelligence Services (DIS) of funding some Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) Members of Parliament in the run up to the party’s primary elections.

Debating the political party funding motion tabled by MP for Okavango, Bagalatia Aarone, MP for Maun West, Tawana Moremi said that three BDP MPs ÔÇô Fedelis Molao, Benard Bolele and Moiseraela Goya ÔÇô have confided in him that they recently received money from the DIS to help in their respective primary elections campaigns.

Tawana said the MPs even disclosed the name of the DIS employee involved in the transactions.
Despite being ordered by the Speaker of the National Assembly, Margaret Nasha, to withdraw the matter because of its sensitivity and lack of evidence, Tawana could nevertheless not stop talking about it.

He insisted that there was no other evidence in a paper form that he had besides what he had been told by the MPS. All the MPs alleged to have received the money were not in Parliament.

“I think this DIS issue should be brought before the Parliament Select Committee. This thing is serious. Please investigate, interrogate and resolve this issue as the Leader of the House. This issue must be laid to rest,” he said.

Nasha then stood up and asked Tawana to bring a substantive motion in Parliament with all the evidence. “I have given you permission to go forward and bring a motion to this House,” she quipped.
Tawana replied that it was unjust, unfair for DIS to fund the BDP. “It is wrong for DIS to sponsor some of its own people,” he said.

Speaking to Sunday Standard in the corridors of Parliament, Tawana said that there was enough evidence on the floor of Parliament to warrant an investigation.

He said he wants Parliament to specifically investigate the admissions of the three MPs that they received money from DIS.

Contacted for comment, Molao denied ever receiving funds from DIS. “He must have been drunk when he said those things. I never spoke to him since this Parliament opened. I think he should be taken to Sybrana Mental Hospital for mental assessment,” he charged.

Asked why Tawana would choose him among all the MPs, Molao said he had no idea, and added that that is why he recommended that Tawana be taken to Sybrana Mental Hospital.

For his part, Goya said, “that’s a damn blue lie and I don’t think this can be said by Hon Moremi unless he has lost his senses.”
Bolele’s mobile phone rang unanswered.

Still on the DIS, MP for Francistown South, Wynter Mmolotsi also alleged that the BDP is being funded by DIS funds. Mmolotsi said that in the 2009 BDP Kanye Congress, there were some BDP small flags that were collected from DIS offices under the instructions of President Ian Khama and he was with the driver who went to collect them.

“I can reveal the name of the driver if need be,” he said. Nasha ended the matter by pleading with the two MPs to collect evidence and bring the matter to Parliament as a motion.

Contacted for comment, Director General of DIS, Colonel Isaac Kgosi said he was prohibited by law to respond to anything debated in Parliament.

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