25 Apr 2018

President Mokgweetsi Masisi has said the case that questions the legitimacy of his presidency was a constitutional one and had nothing to do with him.

Speaking at the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) media briefing in Gaborone on April 24, he said he was not worried about the case because the law would take its course.

He further noted that the case will strengthen democratic credentials of the country that Botswana was well known for.

President Masisi further highlighted that Botswana was founded on constitutional values and principles that were followed and that if there was any anomaly with the Constitution, it would be corrected.

“Nna ga go ntlhotlhore ka sepe, ke ba rotloetsa gore a ba ye go seka. Nna ke ikitse ke le tautona yo ke tlhomilweng ka ha molaong,” he said.

He was responding to a request from the media for his take on the case following opposition Botswana Congress Party (BCP)’s decision to approach the courts of law, questioning the legitimacy of his presidency on a point of law. 

Opposition to his assenssion to the highest office are premised on the interpretation of section 35 (1) of the Constitution.

Meanwhile the BDP leader, Mr Masisi and party chairperson who is also the Vice President, Mr Slumber Tsogwane have welcomed 11 new members into the party.

Among the 11 recruits, eight are from BCP, one from Botswana National Front (BNF), one from Alliance for Progressives (AP) and the other from the academia, Prof. Thapelo Otlogetswe.

Notable recruits are two sitting councillors from BCP, Mr Elijah Motsamai of Mmadikola-Xhumo Ward in Boteti and Mr Mahommed Sobhan of Government Ward in Gaborone Central as well as former Kanye North MP, Mr Kentse Rammidi, who is not new in the BDP as he was formerly BDP secretary general before defecting to BNF and later BCP in 2011.

When welcoming the new members, Mr Masisi said BDP was anxiously waiting to reclaim its glory by winning the constituencies that were lost during the 2014 general elections.

“Come 2019 we are going to work extremely hard. We are hungry to reclaim our past glory. We are hungry to govern this country, to create jobs and protect the Constitution and institutions that generate our democracy,” he said.

For his part, Mr Tsogwane called for tolerance within party members adding that it was normal for members to feel hard done after losing in the primary elections.

He further said their grievances would be channeled to the BDP Appeals Committee. 

Speaking on behalf of new comers, Mr Rammidi said he was happy to be back home. He said he was ‘pursued smoothly’ by fellow democrats to come back to his party. ENDS