Opposition parties say the UDC is using financial constraints to delay implementing the political party funding law passed in 2024.
SESUPO RANTSIMAKO
Opposition parties have accused the UDC government of lacking commitment to political party funding, arguing that the administration is using financial constraints to delay implementing a law passed by Parliament in 2024.
The accusations follow the recent All-Party Conference, where political parties discussed issues affecting the country’s political landscape. Opposition parties said the exclusion of political party funding from the agenda was further evidence that the government was not serious about operationalising the legislation.
BDP Secretary General Kentse Rammidi said the government had failed to demonstrate any commitment to bringing the political funding law into operation since its passage in 2024.
FUNDING DELAY
Rammidi accused the UDC administration of hiding behind financial constraints while benefiting from political arrangements and access to state resources that opposition parties do not enjoy.
He argued that the government was reluctant to introduce political party funding because it was enjoying the advantages of the existing system.
However, Rammidi cautioned the UDC against repeating the mistakes of the BDP, which also failed to prioritise political party funding while it was in power.
BDP WARNING
Rammidi said the BDP was now experiencing the consequences of failing to act when it had the opportunity to introduce and implement political party funding.
He said African leaders should recognise that laws enacted while they are in power could eventually benefit them when political circumstances change.
BCP CHALLENGE
BCP Secretary General Goretetse Kekgonegile also accused Minister of State President Moeti Mohwasa of delaying implementation because the UDC was in government and had access to state resources.
Kekgonegile said the omission of political party funding from the All-Party Conference agenda showed a lack of commitment by the UDC government to funding and nurturing democracy.
He questioned why the government continued to cite financial constraints when Minister of Finance Ndaba Gaolatlhe had recently told Parliament that the country’s economic situation was improving.
Kekgonegile said Mohwasa should submit a political party funding budget for allocation instead of continuing to delay the process.
BUTALE DOUBTS
Botswana Republican Party President Biggie Butale also questioned whether the UDC government was genuinely committed to assisting opposition parties through political funding.
“I don’t think the government is committed to helping opposition parties,” Butale said, arguing that the UDC might regard funding its political rivals as dangerous.
GOVERNMENT RESPONSE
Responding to a parliamentary question from Moshupa-Manyana MP Karabo Gare, Mohwasa said the UDC believed in political party funding but maintained that the government could not currently implement it because of financial constraints.
He said the country’s financial position would determine when political party funding would begin.