Member of Parliament for Lobatse Nehemiah Modubule has refused to withdraw a statement he made in parliament that the Botswana Democratic Party administration rewards corruption.
As a result he faces possible expulsion from the House for at least one day.
Parliament was forced to adjourn before time yesterday to give Modubule more time to research what the Deputy speaker Gladys Kokorwe said were wild allegations that needed substantiation.
Before Kokorwe adjourned parliament proceedings for the day, Modubule had been given thirty minutes within which to peruse material in the parliament library to back up his allegations.
When parliament resumed Modubule emerged armed with the Christie Report.
Christie Commission was appointed by former President Sir Ketumile Masire to investigate the irregularities at Botswana Housing Corporation.
Among other people, the Report heavily criticized then permanent secretary in the Ministry of Local Government, Lands and Housing Pelonomi Venson.
Venson ended up losing her job.
Today Venson however is the Minister of Communications Science and Technology.
Modubule had also made reference to the Kgabo Land Commission also appointed by Sir Ketumile to investigate allegations of corruption in land allocation in Gaborone and the surrounding areas.
The Kgabo commission heavily criticized then Vice President, the late Peter Mmusi and his political prot├®g├®, senior minister Daniel Kwelagobe for wrong doing.
The two resigned their cabinet positions and headed to the High Court to clear their names.
The High Court absolved the duo of any wrongdoing.
Ms Kokorwe reminded Modubule that commission reports were not evidence of corruption, adding that Modubule should bear in mind that although some people faired badly in such reports a good number of them were later absolved by the courts of law.
A visibly angry Kokorwe said she would call off proceedings for the day to give Modubule ample time to research backups for his allegations.
“I am worried because this is eating up on parliament time. But given the seriousness of the allegations and Honourable Modubule’s refusal to withdraw his statements I have no option but to cancel proceedings for the day,” said Kokorwe.
Modubule is not new to controversy. Last year when the country was celebrating forty years of independence the Botswana National Front Member of Parliament caused a storm when he said he would not be celebrating as there is nothing to celebrate especially in his constituency which he said had been overlooked by the BDP’s development process.
