Knives Out For ‘COVID-19 Delinquent’ Lelatisitswe

Remember George Orwell’s Animal Farm? Particularly the proclamation by the pigs who control the government that “all animals are equal, but some are more equal than others?”

Well, if this is anything to go by and assistant Minister of Health and Wellness Sethomo Lelatisitswe does not get charged for violating COVID-19 regulations given a recent event, then the public may most certainly take this proclamation to be truthful.

When President Mokgweetsi Masisi addressed the nation on August 13, 2021, he said in view of the worsening situation of COVID-19 in Botswana and its burden on the economy and health facilities, the government took decisions to suspend gatherings.

One of those was that “all public gatherings, including Kgotla meetings, merapelo, weddings, patlo and magadi be suspended”. For junior minister Lelatisitswe, this messaging must have meant very little as his late father’s tombstone unveiling was held with guests at the event.

The junior minister was under fire on social media after he posted pictures of himself and other attendants stating that they on Saturday morning unveiled a tombstone for his father, Lelatisitswe Alogeng. Instead of comforting messages from users, Batswana wondered how he managed to host an unveiling while events have been put on hold. In his defence, the minister said only merapelo, patlo and magadi were suspended. Following more pressure from the public, Lelatisitswe deleted the post from his Facebook page.

It is not just the public that was irked by this as trade unions also want Lelatisitswe to be punished.

“This is just wrong. He is a minister in the same ministry that should be leading by example. They make these regulations. How does he display such ignorance and get away with it? Just like we have seen in South Africa, action should be taken against him.

He should pay and resign because he is not fit to hold office,” the Botswana Federation of Private and Public Sector Unions’ secretary-general, Tobokani Rari said.

For his part, the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) Communications Sub-Committee chairperson, Kagelelo Kentse said he was not aware of the incident.

“I am away from social media and will need to familiarise myself with the matter. Generally, it is everybody’s responsibility to follow the protocols. I do not believe that it could be true that a minister did such,” he said.

BDP chief whip, Liakat Kablay said action should be taken against anyone who does wrong.

“We are the lawmakers. We should lead by example. If anyone, regardless of whether they are MP or other, do not follow protocols, action should be taken to show that we are all equal. The police should not turn away from this. We cannot have a society where now Batswana think these regulations are not serious,” he said.

Botswana Nurses Union (BONU) is of the view that a public apology would be enough. “The minister has been visibly working. We expected him to do better and be exemplary. However, he acted wrongly and should tender a public apology. We cannot call for his resignation because he has been visible (in his role),” BONU vice president, Vusa Phena said. Letlhakeng Police Station commander, Superintendent Michael Maphephu said they have not charged the minister. “We only saw and heard of the issue on social media.

No one reported the matter while it was still ongoing, so we cannot have any case against him. Maybe his superiors are the ones who could look into taking any action (against him),” Maphephu said.

Lelatisitswe issued an apology late Sunday afternoon on his Facebook page, Sethomo Lelatisitswe Official. The apology titled ‘Apology to the Nation’ reads:

“It is with my outmost humbleness that I extend my sincere apologies on behalf of my family to the Nation, the President of the Republic of Botswana Dr Mokgweetsi Eric Keabetswe Masisi and the entire leadership of the country for the post and comments on my Sethomo Lelatisitswe Official Facebook Page by the page administrator (Who is my nephew), which were tagged n screenshot taken n further distributed through different social media platforms!

I want to make it clear from the outset that this particular occassion as everyone will know from a family standpoint in our tradition is organised and coordinated by close family this is what happened. Dates were long set a longtime ago and Tombstone erected, it was on this day that our mother was taking off the mourning black/ blue dress, our culture prescribe that immediately after giving her a new dress she has to be escorted to cementry by her children to show her where her late husband has been resting for past 12 months - Go gatisiwa phopho. Thats were pictures where on FB was taken. Prior and during the occasion be rest assured that all was done to satisfy the parameters of existing laws of this country and under strick covid 19 protocols or instructions!

Regardless of above I dont want to downplay the mistake by my nephew although its a mistake that came from a good place not intended to injure anyone.

While the event was supposed to celebrate my father’s life it has left my entire family shook and terrified due to the response on Social Media.

We have learnt a great deal from this experience and I hope those that have been following this event have learnt a lot from it (including those that will be Unveiling Tombstones of their beloved ones in Future).

I wish to posit that I personally did not share anything or even respond to any comments , my Facebook official administrator did without prior consultation as it is norm. Immediately i learned about the post and comments yesterday, I instructed for the post to be removed from my Official Facebook page.

For those who know my family we are law abiding citizens we will never at any point defy or undermine the President efforts or those of Govt to arrest the Covid19 Situation so that Batswana could go back to their normal life.

I know my responsibility as Asst Minister tasked with fighting the pandemic that is why i feel the post and comments sent a wrong message about me n my government. With will all explanations I hope you all find it in your hearts to accept my humble sincere apology.” (sic)