In the eye of a storm
Covid-19 is raging on Masisi dragged to court The nation demands answers
When President Mokgweetsi Masisi addressed the nation last night (Tuesday), a lot was on his table.
He has throughout the past months been receiving endless demands from all sectors of the economy, some pleading with him to open up their dying industries while others asked to be vaccinated.
Without a doubt, the first citizen is hard pressed to bring solutions to a restless nation. The country has been under a State of Emergency (SoE) since April 2020. During this period, Masisi together with the Presidential Covid-19 Task Force led by Dr. Kereng Masupu have been shutting down and opening up the economy as when they felt it was right to do so.
They said that their decisions were based on the evidence presented to them by the Ministry of Health and Wellness (MoHW) on the country’s performance against Covid-19. More than a year later, the country is still grappling with containing the spread of the deadly virus. In fact, the situation is now taking a turn for the worst.
CURRENT COVID-19 SITUATION
According to the latest numbers released this past Monday, the country registered 3 837 new positive cases in a space of three days last week.
It was evident this week that numbers are seriously rising as long lines were visible at different Covid-19 testing centres across the country. Many Batswana, including Leader of Opposition (LOO) Dumelang Saleshando have cried out that hospitals were full. It is now a battle to get admission for critical patients at both private and public hospitals as all beds are fully occupied. The total number of
confirmed Batswana cases currently stands at 80 000 while 1 200 people have died from Covid-19. Moreover, only 100 000 people have fully been vaccinated while 166 000 people have received the first dose. While the country’s vaccination deployment plan prioritises the elderly, the MoHW has said that it hopes to begin massive vaccination of 30 to 55 year cohort early next month.
According to authorities the zones mostly affected in the country are Greater Gaborone, Palapye, Francistown and Selibe Phikwe.
KBL DRAGS MASISI TO COURT
President Masisi’s authority is being challenged in court following a decision to suspend alcohol sales on June 28th. This did not sit well with the country’s largest alcohol producer Kgalagadi Breweries Limited (KBL) who subsequently sought court intervention.
KBL argues that government is being unfair to repeatedly suspend alcohol sales as this is severely affecting business. The liquor producer says it has lost millions of pula in expired stock, adding that there will be massive job losses and over 200 000 livelihoods affected by the government ban.
TEACHERS WANT TO BE VACCINATED
Teacher unions are equally threatening to approach the courts of law if their demands are not met. They want teachers to be prioritised for vaccination as the situation is getting scarier in public schools. They demand government to intervene as teachers are dying at an alarming rate.
They complain of Covid-19 adherence in schools saying sanitisers or hand washing soaps are often not available. The situation is even made worse by students who are alleged to be deliberately spreading the virus in schools. They are said to be smearing books and tables with saliva in an effort to infect others so that they stay home.
POLICE
The law officers say they cannot do their work properly because their job description forces them to be in close contact with offenders.
There is no easy way to make arrests without coming into full contact with members of the community. They are also expected to take offenders to their cells. All the processes pose a serious threat to their health. They want to be vaccinated or else police stations will have to shut down with no officers available for work. Inadequate police personnel, they say, will lead to lawlessness and
cases being jeopardised.
TRUCK DRIVERS
It is not easy coming in and out of the country on a daily basis transporting essential goods. Truck drivers have on repeated occasions asked Masisi if he has any plans for them since they are at high risk of contracting Covid-19 and even bringing new and possibly strong variants to Botswana.
They say it will defeat the purpose for the country to fight the virus locally only to import it into the country through cross-border truck drivers.
THE ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY
It is a dog eat dog scenario for them. They have been down and out since March last year. All festivals and concerts continue to be banned. Majority of artistes continue to go to bed hungry, some have turned into beggars others remain depressed behind closed doors.
Throughout the year, most artistes have been turning to small businesses such as retailing, catering and livestock farming in an effort to bring home some income. They have dumped the mic for other business opportunities.
EVENTS GARDENS
Wedding celebrations remain prohibited meaning gardens are idling and dying.
The lavish lawns loved by many for birthday parties, baby showers and picnics among others are an eyesore. These are places which used to make over P50 000 in one or two day events. Garden owners are currently unable to maintain them. Sadly for them, it will take many more months to breathe life to their dead gardens. They have repeatedly begged government to use their gardens for outdoor events such as meetings and workshops, arguing that the little obtained would see them through the dark days.
COUNCILLORS WANT SALARY INCREMENT
Covid 19 or not, President Masisi has to deal with unhappy Councillors who are openly demanding that they be paid their dues despite government saying that coffers have been bled dry.
They are crying foul, saying they are neglected and accusing Members of Parliament of being selfserving and selfish. The unrelenting Councillors are now threatening to cause havoc in the Botswana Democratic Party.