Member of Parliament for Molepolole South Dr Tlamelo Mmatli says the recent attacks towards the opposition fraternity by Vice President Slumber Tsogwane during his response to the SONA is a clear indication that the ruling party is vetting out to the opposition its tremendous frustration and pressure caused over by the tension existing between president Masisi and his predecessor Ian Khama.
Mmatli when speaking to this publication on Wednesday said the misfiring attacks by Tsogwane is nothing that brings fear to the opposition members in the parliament, but it is just showing that there is continuous and growing internal disputes within the ruling party.
He said Tsogwane should not blame his government failures or frustrations on them and they should rather focus on settling their issues.
“Tsogwane attacked us mainly that he said when we respond to SONA we did not applaud the government but rather criticize and oppose the SONA. Yes we should not agree with anything that is presented to commend but it is our role as legislators both in opposition and BDP to further debate so he (Tsogwane) and his BDP must hold on their frustrations”, Mmatli said.
The outspoken Mmatli further said Tsogwane did not fully apply himself when making a SONA response as he was just attacking without paying attention to the good deliberations they made as well, adding that the VP is somehow not listen during the parley session and debates.
Vice President, Slumber Tsogwane has misfired guns to the opposition fraternity and its leadership saying that the opposition parties are not ready to lead and they cannot be trusted with government.
He also accused the opposition for misleading the nation and fuelling fire on the present deadlock between president Masisi and his predecessor Ian Khama. Tsogwane said for that reason the members from opposition side misrepresent facts on the whole issues for gaining political mileage.
Tsogwane said the opposition representatives in parliament individually and collectively present no hope for Batswana at least for now, adding that they cannot be trusted for running the affairs of the country and not even for a month.
He said the Leader of Opposition (LOO) Duma Boko, apart from adding a poetic flair to issues during his response, all the issues he raised and deliberated on were as raised by president Masisi and is for that reasons he expected a lot from LOO would then also tender alternative policy directions given that he had confirmed the issues raised as indeed the issues that affect the nation.
‘‘I noted the same with the Leader of the Minority, Ndaba Gaolatlhe’s submission which was purely a confirmation of the issues as raised by His Excellency except that he added a suffix “do or die” to the issues, to also match his counterpart in being poetic’’, he added.