Opposition Alliance for Progressives (AP) has expressed shock and dismay at the ever-increasing number of alleged corruption cases reported in the media as allegedly involving President Mokgweetsi Masisi and/or his family.
In a statement, AP publicity secretary Mmaotho Segotso said these reports are disturbing and decisive action has to be taken to safeguard the public purse.
“The recent reports of alleged corrupt practices follow hot on the heals of the Covid 19 reported corruption which was anchored on suspicious direct appointments to the political elites,” she said. Segotso said these elites who once again were reported to be inclusive of the “President’s immediate family, became instant millionaires, giving birth to the terms ‘Covid Millionaires’ and ‘Covidpreneurs’ entrepreneur.”
“As AP we call the attention of the Nation to the complete collapse of institutions charged with enforcing transparency and accountability that President Masisi is spearheading with surgical precision,” she said.
Segotso added that the Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP), the Directorate on Economic Crime (DECC), Botswana Police Service (BPS) and Parliament are all under the President’s “whimsical control, through bullying by the DISS (Directorate of Intelligence and Security), directing which cases they can pursue and which ones they cannot.”
She said; “The public fight reported to be ongoing for kickbacks, among President Masisi’s relatives and close associates some of which are said to go directly to Tsholetsa House, is a cause for concern.” According to the statement, the trend of misappropriating public funds for private use and for shoring up political ambitions is not new and is now synonymous with the ruling party.
“In all these decimations of state institutions and arrogant corruption as led by President Masisi, it is the Nation that is paying the highest price,” said Segotso. She said the healthcare system is in shambles, youth unemployment is at an all-time high, more families find themselves trapped in the pits of poverty, many families struggle to put bread on the table, the cost of living is unbearable and those who are said to be employed have to borrow money to go to work.
“These developments concern us as the AP. We believe Batswana deserve shepherds not wolves that maul away at the very flesh of the nation. We call on all Batswana at home and diaspora to stand up, join hands, speak in one voice and fight for what is left of our country,” she said. The APA appealed “to the youth to stand up and protect their heritage. It is time for men and women of truth, principle, integrity and justice to stand up and be counted. Evil only triumphs when good sits in silence.”
