Botswana Patriotic Front (BPF) central region has defended Serowe West Member of Parliament (MP) Tshekedi Khama’s absence in the constituency.
This comes after a series of complaints from some councilors within his area that Khama has failed to update them on when he will be able to address constituents.
Khama has been in South Africa since March this year immediately after he was arrested and detained by the Directorate of Intelligence Security (DIS).
BPF central region chairman Tumo Tumo told this publication in a telephonic interview that they continue to engage with Khama on a weekly basis regarding preparations for constituency meetings.
“We understand that Khama has been able to attend Parliament proceedings virtually from South Africa and we have never had any problems with that,” he said.
Tumo said they are expecting Khama to be back in the country soon adding that they continuously engage him on constituency matters.
“He had lined up to address constituents recently but they were cancelled and mind you Khama has never mentioned to any of us that he has personal problems,” added Tumo.
Tumo further said Khama has not indicated any desire to quit politics adding that he would have engaged party structures.
“All we know is that Khama is in South Africa where he has accompanied his wife who is on a medical trip and he indicated that once his wife has been cleared to travel he will then return to Botswana,” said Tumo.
He highlighted that Bangwato and Batswana in general within the central region have been updated about the whereabouts of the Khama family and their reasons in South Africa.
“Khama has councilors who continuously engage him on issues affecting the constituency. I want to believe that they are aware of his challenges and are supportive,” added Tumo.
On the other hand councilor for Mmashoro village, Kgosiesele Kgosiesele said it has proven difficult to work without their area MP.
He stated that Khama has not communicated or updated him on his whereabouts and when he intends to address the constituents.
“I have tried calling him but his number is not going through and I doubt he has tried to reach to me. People in the constituency continue to ask us about his whereabouts but we do not have any answers,” he said.
Kgosiesele highlighted that there are a series of outstanding issues in his village which Khama had promised to relay in Parliament.
“We have projects that we had intended to change but that cannot happen without a letter from an area MP,” said councilor.
Another councilor who preferred anonymity indicated that he has since given up asking about the whereabouts of Khama adding that even the party has failed to update them on the way forward.
“Khama promised to attend ward meetings during Parliament break in order to update them about some of the proposed developments but that has not happened and now people are asking me questions that I do not have answers to,” said the councilor.
Meanwhile, Speaker of National Assembly Phandu Skelemani responded to a text message sent to him by this publication on whether Khama has communicated his whereabouts.
Skelemani said Khama has not communicated anything to Parliament but has not been absent for a period that would affect his constituency.
