Dumelang Saleshando demands an explanation for two activists’ arrests, accusing police of targeting government critics while overlooking online attacks on opposition leaders.
SESUPO RANTSIMAKO
Botswana Congress Party (BCP) president Dumelang Saleshando has demanded answers from Botswana Police Service (BPS) Commissioner Diana Marathe over the arrest and interrogation of two party activists, accusing police of selectively targeting government critics.
Arrests Questioned
Addressing a press briefing this week, Saleshando questioned the arrest of BCP activists Tshepho Sethibe and Rachel Tlharesagae by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) over their reactions to a Facebook post published by a pseudo account operating under the name Gosee Kone.
He said the arrests raised questions about the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) government’s professed commitment to human rights and freedom of expression.
Selective Enforcement
Saleshando challenged Marathe to explain the circumstances surrounding the arrests, questioning why police had acted against the BCP activists while, in his view, failing to take similar action against anonymous social media accounts accused of targeting opposition politicians.
He singled out the pseudo account Happy Omang, which he accused of repeatedly attacking opposition leaders without attracting comparable police action.
Shielding Allegations
Saleshando alleged that Happy Omang was being shielded because its content appeared to favour the ruling UDC.
“UDC endorses cyber bullying. If indeed they were the human rights government as they claim, they could have also exposed and arrested Happy Omang, who has been bullying opposition leaders,” he said.
Police Response
Saleshando maintained that Marathe owed the BCP and the nation an explanation, arguing that law enforcement agencies must demonstrate impartiality and avoid creating perceptions that police powers are being used to intimidate political opponents.
However, BPS spokesperson Near Bagali said the arrests followed investigations but declined to provide further details.
“The duo was arrested through investigations and for now I cannot divulge information concerning the arrest,” Bagali said.