Describes Khama, Ookeditse as sore losers
‘Masisi, Khama overlooked for cabinet post’
Khama is Bangwato Kgosikgolo not by error -BPF
Majaga wants Kgosikgolo Khama barred from politics
BAKANG TIRO
editors@thepatriot.co.bw
Outspoken Nata- Gweta MP Polson Majaga has berated former President Ian Khama saying the latter is a bitter and divisive character who is masquerading as Kgosikgolo while active in politics.
In an interview late Friday, Majaga said Khama has been abusing his title of Kgosikgolo to be involved in the politics through his Botswana Patriotic Front (BPF), the party he turned down. According to Majaga, the constitution should be reviewed to address disparities between Dikgosi.
“I asked the question on the context that why Dikgosi are deemed to be not equal. I don’t have any problems against Khama in fact he is the one who hates me and some of his colleagues in the BPF who are targeting my constituency. I refused to join BPF because it is another BDP,” he said.
The maverick Majaga also said that Khama overlooked him during his 10 years as the president by not appointing him to cabinet while he has experience but he rather opted for his weak friends.
He said he is not afraid of Khama ‘s plan to see him losing the 2024 general elections to his rival Lawrence Ookeditse who joined BPF stressing that Ookeditse is bitter too.“I have much respect for Khama as former president and the Paramount Chief of Bangwato, the territory that my constituency belongs to as well. He decampaigned me in the 2019 elections in favor of BPF candidate but I defeated them even when both Masisi and Tsogwane didn’t come to launch me. I know Nata- Gweta and constituency having served for 10 years as a councillor. Nobody wanted to be associated to me when I was accused of defilement recently,” he roared.
In addition, he said that if Khama’ successor president Mokgweetsi Masisi don’t recognize his potential for a cabinet post, then it means that he will be a minister if president hires through interview.
“I am very confident on my experience as a politician. I am capable to be a cabinet minister as compared to most of people during the current and past administration. Some of the ministers lack simple leadership basic such as governance. The problem is that our appointments are not based on merit but favoritism. This is why some politicians abandon their voters and bootlick,” he said.
Majaga also said that he is not ready to join any political party in future including Umbrella for Democratic (UDC) but said that even if he loses the next elections he will still remain unmoved.
Majaga was suspended by the ruling Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) last year when he was facing charges of defilement so that he can clear his name but says it was meant to tarnish his name.
He added that he is keen to lobby for developments for his constituents without any fear or favor after he was cleared of from the case, warning his detractors that he is ready for a fight.
According to the two term Nata-Gweta legislator, people have been plotting to destroy his political career adding that he is a political strategist who cannot be distracted by pettiness.
The BPF Spokesperson Lawrence Ookeditse said if he Majaga thinks that Khama would be the Kgosikgolo of Bangwato whether he or the BDP government likes then he is not a logical thinker.
Ookeditse said that Majaga was perhaps plotted to use the question to attack Khama so that he pleases Masisi as the Nata- Gweta MP is lobbying for himself to be considered for a cabinet post.
“Majaga doesn’t know nothing and it is tragic to think that Khama is Kgosikgolo out of context. He must be focusing on lobbying developments for his constituency. He is leader of one of the poorest constituencies in Botswana. He is confused and want to feel relevant,” said Ookeditse.
Kgosikgolo exists
Meanwhile, Assistant Minister of Local Government Kgotla Autlwetse said Section 127 of the Constitution of Botswana interprets the nomenclatures of both Kgosi and Kgosana respectively.
Autlwetse further said these are captured in Bogosi Act as explained in the Constitution adding that there is no official legal instrument that mentions the nomenclature of Kgosikgolo in Botswana.
“Batswana use the name Kgosikgolo loosely to appreciate and distinguish their Dikgosi from the rest. These Setswana norms and practices have over the years seen nothing wrong or unusual with the use of this nomenclature and in the same vein the name Kgosikgolo does not contravene any law. It is a sign of respect and sentimental attachment that Batswana have for their Dikgosi,” added Autlwetse.
Majaga caused stir when he asked the Minister of Local Government and Rural Development to make it clear whether the name of Kgosikgolo exists in the constitution or any law of Botswana.
He also wanted to know why Batswana call their paramount chiefs by the names that don’t exist.