‘HYPOCRITES: BDP has always used tribalism to win elections’
Fears that government-Bangwato stand-off may cause instability Khama implored to return home if he knows he is clean
Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) has no moral high ground to accuse Bangwato and their Kgosikgolo, Lt. Gen. Seretse Khama Ian Khama of tribalism.
This is the sentiments of some commentators, who argue that the BDP, which was formed in 1962, has thrived on tribalism until the fallout in 2019 between President Mokgweetsi Masisi and Khama, resulting in the formation of the Botswana Patriotic Front (BPF) with Khama as its Patron.
The new party humiliated the BDP by snatching some of the ruling party’s strongholds.
At its inception in 1962, the BDP enjoyed unquestionable support from Bangwato.
University of Botswana (UB) don, Adam Mfundisi, makes the point that Bangwato and their subject tribes in the Central District were the vanguard of the BDP dominance in Botswana’s politics. “The BDP itself has used tribalism to galvanise its political dominance especially in the Central District since independence. Tribal chiefs have been used as agents of the BDP to influence their subjects to support the party.
“Chiefs who refused to be used for political battles were ostracised and fired from their posts for flimsy reasons,” Mfundisi said in an interview. For Mfundisi, the 2019 general elections typify the use of tribal appeals to hoodwink the voters. The political science lecturer finds it strange that all of a sudden, the same BDP-led government is vilifying and undermining the Bangwato tribal leadership.
In the tussle between Khama and Masisi, the Bangwato tribe came to the defence of their chief, Khama and became the backbone of the BPF in Central District in Serowe and its environs.
“The Masisi-regime is using constitutional and legal in
struments to fight political battles with Khama and his tribe. The divide and rule principles which the British colonial government used during colonialism have been adopted by the Masisi government to divide the Bangwato tribe. Added the UB analyst: “The CAVA brigade used political tactics to launch a vitriolic attack on Khama through the deployment of some Bangwato tribesmen such as Kgotla Autlwetse, a ‘commoner’ who is the Minister of Local Government and Rural Development.” Furthermore, Mfundisi says government is using the criminal justice system to deal with its political opponents. “The Masisi faction of the BDP has underestimated the influence of Khama in the Central District
and beyond when it launched the Goebellic attacks on the former president with the objective of diminishing his political influence on Botswana political landscape. “The allegations levelled against Khama and the investigations that followed were aimed at isolating him and eventually destroying his political influence in the country. State machinery was unleashed to vilify Khama and the BPF,” observed Mfundisi.
The BPF would go on to win some constituencies and wards in the Central District much to the chagrin of the ruling party. Mfundisi suggests that it would be foolhardy to locate tribalism in the tussle between the BDP government on the one hand and Khama-Bangwato axis on the other.
“Tribalism predated colonialism, survived colonial rule and modern Botswana. The British colonial constitution promoted tribalism and
the BDP government legitimised tribal politics,” says Mfundisi, who argues that the assumption that Khama/Bangwato and Masisi/Government warfare is a struggle between politicians and tribal leaders is far-fetched.
“We are dealing with the collective narcissism taking root in Botswana. We have an insecure, paranoid, and autocratic government bent on using state resources, institutions, and processes to fight political battles. It is deflecting attention from massive corruption, poverty, unemployment and inequality,” opines Mfundisi. He adds that national unity and cohesion are essential for a vibrant and resilient Botswana.
“We are faced with monumental challenges and threats and therefore we need to promote peace and tranquillity in the country. The rule of law and not rule by law must prevail. The Masisi regime must desist from using the criminal justice system to fight political battles. “Any attempt to capture the Judiciary by the CAVA BDP brigade will be catastrophic to the stability of this country,” warns Mfundisi. Former Botswana National Front (MP) official, Robert Molefhabangwe, finds it ridiculous that any person can use the word ‘commoner’ for Autlwetse because “Botswana is a Republic and there is no Monarch here.”
Molefhabangwe’s view is that Khama, who is on a self-imposed exile in South Africa, may just be acting victim to gain sympathy for himself and