MP Lefoko Moagi can run but cannot hide

• As the Convenor, he has to answer for the controversial State House meeting

ADAM PHETLHE

Member of Parliament (MP) for Ramotswa, Lefoko Moagi should be aware that the revelations by Kgosi Mosadi Seboko of the meeting he organised at State House may have signalled the beginning of the end of his political career in more ways than one, if he intends  to defend the seat in the 2024 general election. The underhanded manner in which Kgosi Mosadi was hoodwinked to attend the said meeting places a huge obligation on him to explain what benefits would have accrued to Ba-ga-Malete consequent to the meeting. In his heart of hearts, he knows he may very well have signed his political obituary unless and until he compellingly explains himself to Ba-ga-Malete. If his strategy is to duck and dive with the false hope that this matter will go away, he better be advised this will not help his cause. In fact, the more he chooses to duck and dive, the more political damage he causes himself. Because the Kgosi’s revelations have not so far been disputed by either the MP or the President, I will continue to believe her story. They say silence implies consent. It may very well be the case given the deafening silence from the two. 

When the land dispute judgement was delivered at the High Court which judgement confirmed the land belonged to Ba-ga-Malete, pictures emerged with the MP in the company of the Kgosi and other senior members of the tribe. At that point, it was clear that the MP, notwithstanding his position as a Minister, was deeply with Balete on the matter. And correctly so because they say charity begins at home. I want to believe he used the Balete land issue as a campaign issue when he vied for the constituency in the 2019 general election. He is first a Molete before being a Minister. A cabinet position comes and goes and being a Molete remains permanent. In the process, the MP’s other eye would have been firmly cast on the 2023 primary elections (provided they will be held) and eventually the 2024 general election. If the Botswana Democratic Party wins that election and he successfully defends his seat, he would probably be a candidate to be still chauffeur-driven in a black BMW 740 mounted with a Botswana mini flag. With the revelations by Kgosi Mosadi, the President’s name is receiving intense flak from his detractors. On this front only, the President’s name is soiled big time. Wouldn’t  the President feel his Minister badly handled the State House meeting in terms of say, he did not impress upon the Kgosi not to under whatever circumstances reveal the meeting took place let alone what was discussed? Has the latest turn of events negatively impacted the relationship between the President and himself? Time will tell! It goes without saying however that the relationship between the MP and the Kgosi is probably broken down irretrievably because on one hand, the MP feels the Kgosi has betrayed him through the explosive revelations while on the other, Kgosi Mosadi will equally feel betrayed by her ‘subject’ for hoodwinking her to a clandestine meeting the purpose of which she was not made aware of. All these at the insistence of the MP.

Before clumsily handling this matter, he would have been aware of the power and influence of Dikgosi over their people and Kgosi Mosadi is no exception. He would have known how the land question was so emotive to Batswana to the extent that once he exhibited signs of double standards which signs could potentially place his constituents at a huge disadvantage, his political obituary would certainly be under print. Was he overwhelmed by bolope (sycophancy) to betray his own Kgosi considering how he waylaid her to the State House? The answer could likely be in the affirmative given that the bolope characteristic is the ticket to finer things in politics amongst other vocations. His boss has said it though he would later somersault.  Moagi may have given his challengers and detractors potent ammunition to fight him to the bitter end.