Masisi warns cabinet, backbench against bickering

President Mokgweetsi Masisi has stepped in to quell the bickering between the ruling party backbench and his cabinet ahead of the winter Parliament session scheduled to start next Monday.

For some, the Botswana Democratic Party ( BDP) backbench has expressed concern at the way their colleagues at cabinet have been conducting themselves in respect of party and government matters.

The furious MPs at one point demanded a full day retreat with the party top brass to iron out their issues which they believe have been neglected, some of which they have raised on numerous occasions during the party’s weekly Parliamentary Caucus.

The MPs also want President Masisi to put a leash on his cabinet to desist from visiting their constituencies without informing them ( backbench) first.

According to the MPs, this depicts a level of disrespect for them and their constituents. They also want answers on why government is slow in delivering developments to their constituencies while pledges were made in the build up to the 2019 national polls.

During a retreat this past Saturday, Masisi is said to have warned both parties to put the party first instead of fighting among themselves. According to those who attended the meeting Masisi has expressed concern that the bickering might derail the party from executing its electoral mandate promised during the 2019 national polls campaign.

The President is said to have reminded the two parties to acknowledge and respect the BDP Constitution and to always engage in a democratic manner through laid down processes. According to sources, Masisi has also warned about sharing of internal party matters with the media before they are internally resolved.

MPs are said to have also complained that the ministers are not working well both at Parliament and at their constituencies. They argue that the backbench is not taken in confidence on government business while at the same time they are expected to support and defend government policies.

The MPs are not happy that Ministers always visit their constituencies without informing them, something MPs fear could lead to two centres of power.

Government Whip Liakat Kably confirmed the Saturday meeting which he said was fruitful. He expressed hope that the differences that have prevailed between the two Camps have been ironed out.

Kably who is also MP for Letlhakeng- Lephephe said the president gave the MPs an ear and has encouraged harmonious working relationship between his cabinet and backbench.

“I believe as backbench we are also happy from the outcome of the meeting and we will all pull together as a unit. We have also heard the concerns from the president and I am positive that my colleagues will embrace them so that we do good for the party. “The president wants us to work together so that we deliver on our promises. The president has the interest of the country at heart and wants to do good for the nation. We should give him a chance because he is in office during difficult times of the pandemic,” Kably said.