from ODIRILE TOTENG in Gaborone, Botswana
Botswana Bureau
GABORONE, (CAJ News) – SLIGHTLY over a year into his tenure, President Duma Boko is under scrutiny for his travels outside Botswana on so-called external private visits.
The opposition Botswana Congress Party (BCP) is demanding transparency amid accusations Boko is entrenching dictatorship and allowing his government to be influenced by controversial business leaders.
Some even speculate about the president’s health.
The government recently announced he will be on a “private external visit” from December 5-11.
The destination was not revealed.
“The president will also use this opportunity to have follow-up meetings with investors,” the government stated.
Mmoloki Kgwadi, an analyst, said what caught his attention was that Boko is on a private visit but he will also meet some investors.
“Will he meet the investors alone on behalf of the country?” he quipped.
“Will the identities and location of the potential investors be revealed given that it’s an undisclosed private visit? These are fundamental questions that beg for answers.”
Dr Kesitegile Gobotswang, prominent figure in the BCP, said these private visits were becoming “way too many” in just one year in government.
“Questions need to be asked about the nature and character of such visits and the cost implications of such travel in the midst of an economic crisis,” he said.
Gobotswang argued it was important to understand that any travel the president undertook should never be a state secret and he must be accompanied by local media to ensure transparency, which is a key tenet of democracy and good governance.
“We deserve to know where he is going, what he will be doing on a daily basis and the composition of his entourage as well as the people he will be meeting and for what purpose. Even his health must be public.”
Gobotswang noted there was already speculation around his latest external travel, especially that among his entourage is reportedly the controversial South African businessman, Zunaid Moti.
He said Botswana was therefore being exposed to the business underworld, traders in illicit products, known for money laundering.
“Boko may turn out to be the most expensive president in the history of our nation.”
Former opposition leader, Boko (55) is the sixth president. His office had not commented on the “external private visits.”
Vice President Ndaba Nkosinathi Gaolathe has been acting in his absence.
– CAJ News