Democracy is often lost when good people are too afraid to speak up against rising authoritarianism. With all due respect, I urge you to restore Dr. Dikoloti’s district to him, it was rightfully won in the light of day. What has been done here defies belief and signals the beginning of a dangerous drift towards dictatorship. The just course of action would have been to allow Dr. Dikoloti to keep his victory, rather than awarding it to someone who lost. Please, sir, help us understand how this decision makes sense.
If we allow this to happen once, what assurance do we have that it won’t happen again, perhaps on an even larger scale? How can we trust that someone who could make this kind of decision would willingly return power when defeated in elections? Some of us have tried to give you the benefit of the doubt, even in light of your relationship with President Mnangagwa, but your actions now are deeply concerning. It appears that you may be learning something from him that we, as a nation, should fear.
Is this a form of state capture by Minister Peggy Serame? What could possibly compel you to go to such lengths for someone who did not win? Could it be that she holds secrets that threaten you, or that you seek a loyalist to protect your legacy after you retire? Minister Serame’s tenure as Minister of Finance was disastrous, leaving the country in a weakened financial state. So what exactly is so valuable about her that would cause you to bypass established protocols for her benefit?
As an independent voter with no political affiliation, I am raising these concerns out of love for my country. I know that many who should be speaking up are silent, perhaps out of fear of losing their positions or power. I stand here not as an opposition supporter, nor as a partisan voice, but as a concerned citizen. For context, I used to identify with the BDP, and my first votes in 2004 and 2009 went to BDP candidates. However, over the last decade, I have chosen to be independent, voting for individuals who I believe will bring value to Parliament, regardless of their party affiliation.
Mr. President, I hope you understand that I speak out not for any particular individual or faction, but for the good of the nation. Many Batswana remain silent out of fear of victimization, and I too hesitate to speak, but my conscience demands it. Should you tomorrow refuse to give back state power, I want to be able to say that I did not stay quiet when it mattered most. Prevention is better than cure, and I urge all Batswana to recognize that failing to speak up now could lead to the erosion of their own rights in the future. History teaches us that if you give an inch, those in power may soon take the whole mile.
Respectfully,
Sethunya Monyatsi
