Distinguished scholars and researchers from different universities as well as international organizations have showered Botswana with accolades for the establishment of what is viewed as a vibrant economy and a functioning democracy in a dark continent. The Government of Botswana has been praised for pursuing sound fiscal policies that went a long way in ensuring that the wealth accumulated primarily from the sale of diamonds was not squandered as it happens in other developing countries.
Despite the favourable manner in which we have been assessed by international scholars and organizations, one can argue that the quality of our democracy is not as good as we have been made to believe. A critical assessment of our country by Professors Amelia Cook and Jeremy Sarkin in 2010 brought to light some of the shortcomings of our economic and political systems that most people take for granted. I know that some people who are used to our country being praised all the time will blindly dismiss their work as an attempt by Westerners to tarnish our good image in the international arena. But no matter how hard we try to hide from the truth, the pimples and deficiencies of our economic and political systems have been exposed.
Since we have always been praised for good governance, it is imperative for all of us to appreciate the fact that we cannot talk about good governance in the absence of accountability and transparency. In a report entitled “The State of Governance in Botswana 2004,” BIDPA defines good governance as “predictable, open, and enlightened policy making; a bureaucracy imbued with professional ethos; an executive arm that is accountable for its actions, and a strong civil society participating in public affairs” (2006:36). The report goes further to identify the critical ingredients of good governance as transparency, openness, accountability, fairness, equity, respect for the rule of law, consistency and coherence in policy formation, high standards of ethical behaviour, prudent management of economic resources, equitable distribution of resources etc.
It is a fact that in our country the benefits derived from economic resources have not been distributed equitably to all members of the society. We still have one-fifth of the population living below the poverty datum line. The gap between the rich and the poor is huge. There are certain individuals who, because of their relationship with the powers that be or simply because of their surnames, tend to be the only ones benefiting from the multi-million Pula tenders awarded by the government.
Both politicians and senior public officials do not deem it necessary to inform the nation about the manner in which government business is conducted. The words “transparency and accountability” do not appear in their vocabulary. Government is not “us.” And by “us” I mean citizens. Government is for a small number of privileged individuals who can just enrich themselves without their conscience telling them that what they are doing is wrong.
For example, the Mmegi newspaper dated 15th December 2010 carried a front page headline: “BDPs MacDee gets lion’s share for police uniform.” During the last sitting of Parliament, it was revealed that a company belonging to a BDP activist, MacDonald Peloetletse, was awarded a tender of P15 million for the supply of police uniform out of P27 million that was approved for the project. Apparently, four other companies had to share the remaining P12 million.
No one from the government enclave or the Botswana Police Service has deemed it appropriate to tell the taxpayers reasons that compelled them to change the uniform of our police officers in the first place. The sad part is that the Assistant Commissioner of Police, Chris Mbulawa, is quoted in the newspaper saying that “officers have only been supplied with one set of uniform that they have to wear continuously for five days” (Mmegi 15th December 2010). How do we spend P27 million on a project that only yields one set of uniform for our police officers? This is scandalous!
On 17th December 2010 the Mmegi newspaper carried yet another striking front page headline: “BDP bigwigs revel in govt tenders.” The SundayStandard dated 19-25th December 2010 also had a front page headline: “Parly asks about BDF tenders given to cabinet members and relatives.” Both newspapers reported that cabinet ministers, BDP leaders and their close relatives were awarded multi-million Pula BDF tenders between 1990 and 2000. President Khama, who is regarded as a super human being by his loyal and blind supporters, was the Commander of BDF between 1989 and 1998 when his brothers were awarded tenders to supply the army with vehicles. Kana we are talking about big money here, not thebes.
We are told that Minister Motsumi failed to tell parliament how the beneficiaries got to know about the tenders. All that she could say was, “Madam Speaker I do not know how they got to know” (Sunday Standard 19-25 December 2010). The answer from Minister Motsumi clearly indicates the care-free attitude and sheer arrogance of our political leaders when handling serious national issues. Transparency and accountability in a democratic set-up such as ours have no value and yet our political masters want to be praised for good governance.
We always talk about the separation of powers where the three arms of government are supposed to hold each other accountable even though we all know that in Botswana the orders and resolutions made by parliament are not binding on the cabinet. The constitution places the President above the law and he is only accountable to himself. Every year he delivers the State of the Nation address to parliament and leaves as soon as he is done. All questions and comments made by MPs are handled by the Vice President. Is it fair and proper for the VP to account for the decisions, actions and announcements made by the President?
I have seen British Prime Ministers taking responsibility for their decisions and actions by personally responding to questions posed by members of their parties and their political opponents. Why can’t the same thing be done here so that we can show the whole world that we are a very good model of democracy that other nations can copy?
Even though our political leaders have failed to account for their decisions and actions, they are always quick to tell other presidents such as Robert Mugabe and Al-Bashir about the importance of accounting for the state of affairs in their countries. This smells like hypocrisy to me. Let us put our house in order before we can start pointing an accusing finger at other people.
*Dr Mothusi teaches Public Administration at the University of Botswana
