- Speaker says he is still awaiting LOO’s evidence
- Says he will present the evidence before the BDP once submitted
- Saleshando differs, “I have submitted evidence”
LETLHOGILE MPUANG
Leader of Opposition (LOO) in Parliament Dumelang Saleshando is yet to submit any evidence pointing to President Mokgweetsi Masisi’s relatives or any Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) member benefiting from COVID-19 procurement without tendering, Speaker of the National Assembly Phandu Skelemani has said.
Skelemani told The Botswana Gazette this week that he was still awaiting evidence from the Maun East legislator. “No, I have not received anything,” he said. “Once I have received it, then I shall inform them (BDP) that I have received the evidence.”
In his response, Saleshando differed, and rather said, “I have given the Speaker the evidence, it is up to him to decide whether he shares it with you or not.”
Saleshando had raised the allegations in his defence to why the extra ordinary sitting of Parliament should vote against Masisi’s proposed six months of State of Public Emergency.
“This will enable the President to give tenders to his party members without being questioned. We will request for a commission of inquiry of the COVID-19 money on how it was used. I want to tell you that you will be the one to answer,” he said in a televised parliamentary debate.
When asked to provide evidence to support the allegations and if not, withdraw the statement, he promised to compile the evidence and submit to the Speaker.
The mover of the motion, Vice President Slumber Tsogwane said the declaration of state of public emergency was necessary for the purpose of taking appropriate and stringent measures to address the risks posed by COVID-19.
When giving his submission President Masisi, vowed to revoke the SOPE as soon as the government has established a full grip on the virus.
“I personally gave assurance to the leaders of parties that took part in the 2019 election, of my complete commitment to stick to the intention of the constitution and my willingness and desire to uplift the state of emergency the very minute the experts who know how best to manage this pandemic inform me that we no longer need those powers to be applied to manage what remains.”
“The state of emergency may not need to last six months and I hope it does not because states of emergency are disruptive by their own nature,” President Masisi had said.