24 Feb 2021

The MP for Molepolole South, Mr Kabo Morwaeng has dismissed claims that developments across the country are undertaken along tribal lines.

Debating the 2021/22 budget proposals, Mr Morwaeng, who is also Minister for Presidential Affairs, Governance and Public Administration, said politicians who made the remarks in their debate should be rejected as they sought to destroy the peace and tranquility the country has enjoyed since independence.

Several MPs in their debate accused government of undertaking developments along tribal lines.

MP Morwaeng said they were irresponsible comments and that such politicians should be punished through the ballot box. He said politicians should advocate for developments in their constituencies in a responsible manner without throwing the tribal card.

He said since independence, developments had been done in an equitable manner and gave the example of numerous water projects undertaken throughout the country.

He said tribalism did not have a future and that it had destroyed peace in other countries. MP Morwaeng noted that development was a process, adding that Molepolole residents could never feel left out despite the fact that the area was lagging behind in developments.

He further said they did not just reject motions, saying there was no need for them to adopt a motion they knew they could not implement such as the recent motion which called on a moratorium on Botswana Housing Corporation (BHC) rental increase.

He said government needed revenue to undertake developments hence he welcomed the Value Added Tax (VAT) increase. He further said parastatals should be rationalised and that parastatal chief executive officers should not purchase expensive vehicles.

The Minister for Presidential Affairs, Governance and Public Administration also said Dr Thapelo Matsheka showed that government was transparent when he talked about the 37 per cent wastage in government.

He also said corruption in all its forms should be eliminated, adding that there were some in the country who were against President Mokgweetsi Masisi.

He said he welcomed the water project in his constituency and that residents were still waiting for the construction of a police station and the development of the Molepolole-Gaborone road into a dual carriageway. ENDS