The opposition Botswana Congress Party (BCP) has warned President Mokgweetsi Masisi for supporting Zimbabwe’s ruling Zanu-PF party and its leader Emmerson Mnangagwa while on a state visit.
The Botswana leader was in Zimbabwe last week to officially open the 112th edition of the Zimbabwe Agricultural Show (ZAS) in Harare.
He addressed the business community telling them about his government’s relationship with Zanu-PF.
He claimed: “Botswana continues to call for the removal of sanctions against Zimbabwe…. We just came from our elective congress, and Zanu-PF was represented very well…. The two ruling parties have relations, we are friends.”
BCP, however, slammed Masisi accusing him of being out of order after he made “partisan” comments on behalf of Botswana. The opposition party believes that Masisi was not supposed to talk about his association with Zanu-PF while on a State sanctioned visit.
The party further accused him of attempting to exonerate Zanu-PF and Mnangagwa from the Zimbabwean crisis.
“President Masisi’s visit to Zimbabwe was a State visit, the BCP is therefore surprised at the partisan nature of his welcome, which is a foreign practice in the conduct of international relations, especially those of a sovereign nation.
“President Masisi’s attempt to absolve Zanu-PF and President Emmerson Mnangagwa from the Zimbabwean crisis is not only an affront and insult to the suffering people of Zimbabwe, but it is also an attempt to revise history in the most deceptive way. It is similar to convincing us that Idi Amin was an honorable man.
“The fact is, the sanctions are only targeted at designated people in Zimbabwe, who are key members of the Mugabe (former President Robert Mugabe) regime, including Mnangagwa. How this affects the economy of Zimbabwe is yet to be explained.
“President Masisi must confide in Botswana before he tells the world that he speaks on their behalf,” read the statement signed by Mpho M. Pheko, BCP Information and Publicity Secretary.
The party further called upon Mnangagwa’s government to introduce the “necessary reforms that will allow for true democracy to thrive”.
“Repression of political opponents and intimidation of those that challenge the Zanu-PF regime should be condemned in the strongest possible terms.
“Having noticed the decline of democracy and the disregard of the rule of law in Botswana under the BDP government, the BCP hopes that the budding friendship between BDP and Zanu-PF will not further undermine democracy in the two countries,” the BCP said.
Masisi is out of line, way out of line. Not good for the region.
Tikadzingwa SA touyako Botswana ikko azonatsoona kut nyaya yaatanga haisi diki 😂😂
Imbwa dze vanhu idzi
Masisi is a hypocrite of note. With such presidents, Africa will always remain in the doldrums…
Gift Menzi Cele yrs worse than the word hypocrite. U ran away from yr country ONLY to harass nd steal
Gift Menzi Cele learn to differentiate the office of the president and being opposition
Whilst he is chasing Zimbabweans out of Botswana with Helicopters. He is so evil.Nothing is permanent guys.
I remain to see the helicopter chasing a Zimbo..
The law is not made for any person but for everybody..
If you break it, you face the consequences regardless of country of origin..
There are Batswana in jail in other countries for breaking the laws of those countries, should Batswana cry foul? No..
Don’t spread a false narrative about Bw, no helicopter is made to chase Zimbos…Patrolling the streets and borders is normal in any country
Antonthy Boothe those who don’t obey our LAWS esp thieves/thugs…a chopper is ready 😎
They said the truth
Nanette Allmark what truth ma’am
What the opposition said is the truth. We are enough of so called Presidents standing for tyrannical oppressors and not the people of Zimbabwe
Masisi ndiye arikutonga opposition they only bark
Alfa B Banhu Vana gudo nyararai
Simba Georgeson Imi murivanamhataka mongoziva kusura nekubuditsa zvinonhuwa ka
They can see that even animals cannot be led by a dumb animal, how can their president support a dumb counterpart?
The guy is taking notes from a dictator
Ernest Tichivangani he is doing good for his country!
Ever heard of the saying ” the customer is always right”!
We don’t produce anything!
Very soon Botswana will supply us with maize & nuts!
Ncagu Sbhamusogodo KaSibungusodaka Hope you are correct
Batswana have already started to feel the effects of their friendship you know what I mean
He can say that again
and he shall remain opposition achingo vukura
BCP is useless….. How many seats does it have in National assembly…. maybe I forgot is it the party of Saleshando…if it is one …just crap …. highly sounding nothing…..
Patrick Makoni You are a useless and irritating village ediot. You like to deceive yourself like your useless Masisi
The same like Thabo Mbeki
Botswana opposition BCP party slams Masisi for supporting Mnangagwa – Nehanda Radio – https://t.co/kd8vPvV6gC https://t.co/kX1gBLVe0x
What people don’t know is that Zimbabwe is a consumer economy!
We don’t produce anything, so Masisi & other presidents engage Mnangagwa so as supply their products, thereby increasing production in their countries!
All Zimbabweans if zanu wins we coming to Botswana
RT @NehandaRadio: Botswana opposition BCP party slams Masisi for supporting Mnangagwa – Nehanda Radio – https://t.co/kd8vPvV6gC https://t.c…
They say it is easy to be an oppossition because your duty is to oppose everything.