Boko comes to defence of Motsepes
Vote-rigging confirmed in Botswana
THE leader of Botswana’s opposition alliance, Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) Duma Boko yesterday defended the Motsepe family against claims that they had interfered in the country’s disputed presidential elections in October.
Addressing a press briefing where allegations of vote-rigging against the southern African country’s governing party, the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP), were publicly disclosed, Boko said the UDC never received any funds from the Motsepes. “I can confirm that the UDC did not receive any assistance from the family that was mentioned. We had absolutely no dealings with that family, none whatsoever.”
Boko blamed what he described as a narrative that was spun as part of the BDP’s election campaign.
“The mud smearing in which newspapers were roped in to push this narrative is a false narrative. It’s actually terribly wrong and it has been established to be untrue.”
According to Boko, the courts have issued an interdict in Botswana and there are defamation claims in which massive amounts of money are involved.
Last week, billionaire businessman Patrice Motsepe obtained an interdict against Botswana newspaper the Sunday Standard, which reported ahead of the elections that he had smuggled R22 million to fund the BDP presidential campaign for former foreign affairs minister Pelonomi Venson-Moitoi.
Motsepe is also suing the newspaper for five million Pula (about R6.8m).
His sister and businesswoman Bridgette Motsepe-Radebe was also the subject of negative reports by the Sunday Standard, which she said were incorrect, caused her reputational damage and amounted to character assassination.
Boko said the narrative was based on fabricated information and forged bank statements.
Forensics for Justice founding director Paul O’Sullivan, who investigated the alleged electoral fraud in Botswana, said: “I regret I am not able to comment on any families alleged to be involved in any hanky-panky in Botswana, and I think if I did, that would more likely be seen as a red herring. What we need to do is focus on the facts, and what I’ve presented here today are facts. We have in our possession evidence, prima
facie evidence, absolute, 100% definite evidence of vote-rigging”.
O’Sullivan maintained the evidence of vote-rigging could be proved if they forced through an independent audit of the elections.
O’Sullivan also revealed that Boko yesterday launched 16 applications in Botswana courts which he hopes will force the hand of the Botswana government and citizens who were involved in fraudulent election activity.
O’Sullivan said he had told the South African government about what Forensics for Justice had uncovered in Botswana.