BDP’s politicization of Covid19 dangerous – Analyst
‘Since 2019, Masisi administration anchored on personality cult’
Vaccines arrive, BFAR insist on Ivermectin use
BAKANG TIRO
editors@thepatriot.co.bw
Political and Administrative Studies lecturer at the University of Botswana (UB), Dr Adam Mfundisi, has cautioned the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) led government not to use the Covid-19 vaccines to score political points, but embrace all the efforts.
Dr Mfundisi said the response from government both covert and overt, towards the gesture extended by SKI Khama Foundation on vaccines, was disturbing to say the least. A rift ensued between government and the foundation after the latter announced that it has secured 4 million doses of Pfizer and AstraZeneca vaccines via United States of America (USA) based KKM Group.
Mfundisi said as it has always been the case for the BDP strategy to unilaterally manage the Covid 19 vaccines, it has demonized the SKI Foundation purely on political grounds. “SKI foundation was attacked purely on political grounds. We had assumed that this time, due to the surge in Covid 19 cases and concomitant mortality, the regime will modify its responses to deal with the pandemic. To the BDP and its functionaries, the SKI Foundation is exposing its inadequacies and incompetencies internally and externally. The MEK administration since 2019 is anchored on a policy of personality cult. This crave for attention and adoration is legendary,” he said.
President Mokgweetsi Masisi, he said, has surrounded himself with people who lack empathy and morality towards the nation but are rather obsessed with impressing him. “Government is undermining our national principles which have built consensus polity since independence. BDP politicians have become more entrenched and extreme in their management of state affairs. They have become ruthless and unprincipled in dealing with national issues more importantly Covid 19 pandemic. This resulted in massive corruption and maladministration,” he added.
In addition, the UB political scientist observed that at the inception of the State of Public Emergency (SoPE), it was presented as a ‘ silver bullet’ to contain the now ravaging pandemic. The proponents, he said, argued that the Executive powers vested in the President are not sufficent to capacitate him to effectively mobilise resources, institutions, personnel, and processes to fight the pandemic.
According to Mfundisi, opponents of the SoPE were perceived and described as unpatriotic. So far, he added, there are no tangible and positive results from the impact of SoPE save for the rampant corruption and the attendant secrecy in the management of the Covid 19 pandemic. “Ethics and accountability have been compromised to serve the whims and caprices of the BDP elite. We are faced with an existential threat to the Republic and the BDP and its leadership are playing politics with thaw lives of the people. If truly, the BDP and its leadership were voted into power through a free, fair, and credible electoral process, then Botswana is cursed by the evil spirit,” he stressed.
BDP Spokesperson, Kagelelo Kentse said government is keen to deliver on vaccination which is very inclusive adding that BDP never politicized the Covid-19 but it was the opposition that did. He noted that government made it clear from the onset that it secured enough vaccines for adult population. “We are excited that our secured vaccines are slowly but surely coming. We genuinely appreciate Batswana who called out for government to vaccinate the nation and not those who criticized every effort made by government in fighting the pandemic,” he said, adding that the SoPE was sought for good intentions by Masisi to fight the pandemic in an effective manner, refuting that it has been used as a window for corruption.
Ivermectin remains
The Chairman of Botswana Forum for Action (BFAR), Dr Mbako Nnyepi, said the arrival of vaccines is a source of hope. but said the use of Ivermectin drug for therapeutic purposes is still needed. He said BFAR and Botswana COVID-19 Ivermectin Intervention Group (BCIIG) still stand firm calling for the government to adopt swiftly the use Ivermectin to treat the affected patients.
According to him, Ivermectin drug which is in tablet form is yet to be approved in Botswana saying that it was regrettable for parliament to vote against the motion by Sefhare-Ramokgonami MP, Dr Kesitegile Gobotswang that called for president Mokgweetsi Masisi to allow use of drug for Covid-19 treatment. “We are not for or against the use of vaccines but our position is that Ivermectin be given to the people who already ill. The vaccines will benefit the people who are not affected as a means of protection. It is a good development that vaccines arrived but there is a still logistical challenges that persist in terms of achieving the effective vaccination rollout,” said Dr Nnyepi in an interview.
Also, he said politics in Covid-19 could be an obstacle to the successful rollout of the vaccines.
Botswana received 38 400 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine consignment purchased through the COVAX Facility, 108 000 does of Johnson and Johnson and 81 900 doses of Pfizer vaccine too.
Pfizer delayed
The Pfizer Vaccine consignment of 81, 900 doses scheduled for arrival in Botswana on Saturday has been postponed due to logistical arrangements and will now arrive in the country within the next few days on a date yet to be communicated, Ministry of Health and Wellness spokesperson, Christopher Nyanga said late Friday.
“The ministry assures the public that there has been absolutely no misunderstanding or irregularity in the ministry’s dealings with the supplier as purported. The ministry regrets that such falsehood is being communicated to the public by the said newspaper at this critical moment in the fight against the pandemic,” said Nyanga.