Khama's visit riles opposition
Botswana: Khama's Visit Riles Opposition
AllAfrica.com - Washington,USA
While some might view Vice President Ian Khama's surprise visit to some families in the mining town as an act of benevolence, the move has been met with derision from the opposition Botswana National Front (BNF). Khama made an unexpected visit to families in Selebi-Phikwe, going from house to house at random. In Pimville location, Khama's entourage came face-to-face with BNF activists on a house-to-house campaign. Khama's visit sparked fierce criticism from BNF members during a rally in the same location late Saturday. BNF Bontleng ward candidate Seosengeng Letshwiti said Khama would soon ascend to the presidency despite the fact that he has not been popularly elected. "The time of dynasties is up. There is no democracy when a president is predetermined. We have such situations in countries like the DRC and Pakistan where a party belongs to certain families," Letshwiti said ... Another activist, Dimpho Moruti, said Khama's ascendancy to the presidency next April 1, would mark the death of democracy. "You must understand that Khama is not a politician but a soldier and a chief. We will see dictatorship reminiscent of what happened in Nigeria during the time of military rule," Moruti said ... Moruti added that BDP supporters were opposed to former BNF Kenneth Koma's campaigning to become state president, arguing he was single. He said it was surprising that BDP followers were mum on the vice president's marital status ...
AllAfrica.com - Washington,USA
While some might view Vice President Ian Khama's surprise visit to some families in the mining town as an act of benevolence, the move has been met with derision from the opposition Botswana National Front (BNF). Khama made an unexpected visit to families in Selebi-Phikwe, going from house to house at random. In Pimville location, Khama's entourage came face-to-face with BNF activists on a house-to-house campaign. Khama's visit sparked fierce criticism from BNF members during a rally in the same location late Saturday. BNF Bontleng ward candidate Seosengeng Letshwiti said Khama would soon ascend to the presidency despite the fact that he has not been popularly elected. "The time of dynasties is up. There is no democracy when a president is predetermined. We have such situations in countries like the DRC and Pakistan where a party belongs to certain families," Letshwiti said ... Another activist, Dimpho Moruti, said Khama's ascendancy to the presidency next April 1, would mark the death of democracy. "You must understand that Khama is not a politician but a soldier and a chief. We will see dictatorship reminiscent of what happened in Nigeria during the time of military rule," Moruti said ... Moruti added that BDP supporters were opposed to former BNF Kenneth Koma's campaigning to become state president, arguing he was single. He said it was surprising that BDP followers were mum on the vice president's marital status ...