Dow trashes opposition comrades

• Dismisses other ‘opposition parties’, lauds BCP for ‘admirable democratic credentials’
• ‘BCP is not strong in Kgatleng constituencies. She might struggle to settle down’ -Analyst

BAKANG TIRO

editors@thepatriot.co.bw

Specially elected MP Dr Unity Dow says her new political home- opposition Botswana Congress Party (BCP) has presented itself as a better and strategic alternative compared to other opposition comrades.

BCP officially welcomed Dow on Thursday, emphasizing that she is going to be very useful to their preparations for 2024 general elections that they will contest outside the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC). Dow said she chose BCP because democracy is significantly waning at her former party, the ruling Botswana Democratic Party (BCP).

“It has taken me a while to understand what the BCP stands for as compared to other political parties in the opposition aisle that have also approached me to join them. BCP is one of the best organized parties and its democratic principles and decision-making process are ideal and progressive for me,” she said.

Dow added: “Normally I don’t make decisions easily. I had several meetings with Dumelang Saleshando for a number of days for me to understand what BCP stand for and for him to understand my values and principles. It involved lot of consultation and building of trust for me to have arrived in this decision.”

Meanwhile, Dow said the decision whether she will contest for elections next year will be determined by the party as a collective, adding that she is available and ready to offer service if the party delegates her.

Dr Dow contested for parliamentary elections in 2014 under BDP and lost Mochudi West constituency to UDC’s Gilbert Mangole. He was the appointed Specially Elected Member of Parliament (SEMP) by former president Ian Khama. Post 2019 elections, Masisi also retained her as SEMP and appointed her to cabinet.

Big catch

Welcoming Dow, BCP president Saleshando said Dow without any doubt is the big catch for the BCP. He said Dow stood firm and not afraid to openly dismiss the ruling Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) President Mokgweetsi Masisi over some actions that threatened democracy.

“She is a selfless leader who fits well in our BCP ideological principles of democracy and fighting for better Botswana. She spoke without fear against corruption in the BDP even by the President himself. Due to that, she has been a target of abuse by the Directorate of Intelligence and Security Services (DIS),” said Saleshando, adding that the current BDP treats its members just like dogs due to abuse.

Saleshando accused Masisi for unleashing terror on opposition politial parties through the DIS and other state machinery, adding that his intentions are equal to dictatorship as he kills democracy.

Diversity

Political analyst, Kitso Morekisi said Dow is bringing in wealth of experience that comes along with diversity in terms of the knowledge that she posses in areas such as human rights and legislation. “Dow is an asset and she will assist the BCP in number of aspects such as policy formulation and legal related matters. She also has good network that can be able to help fund BCP campaigns,” he observed.

In addition, Morekisi said although Dow is influential character, it could take her some time to settle within the BCP ranks especially if she wants to contest elections, noting that BCP is not very strong as compared to BDP in Kgatleng. She said it will take extra effort for BCP to market and make her sellable.