Stop making death threats – Masisi cautions Boko
Spira Tlhankane | Friday October 11, 2024 15:06
This follows a series of public comments made by Boko where the latter emphasised that anyone who attempts to rig the October 30-slated elections will be 'put to death'. Masisi issued a stern warning to Boko during the launch of BDP’s parliamentary candidate in Takatokwane over the weekend. He said Boko must be cautioned whilst it is early. “A bake a kgwe a itshware khubu. A bakele go tlhola a bua mahoko a ntwa le a polao (He should swear never to utter words of war and killing ever again),” Masisi highlighted. He said Boko should be advised because the latter thinks that wishing people dead is amusing. “[The] UDC leader says that they beat and kill. It’s the culture they encourage. This isn't peaceful Setswana culture and we condemn it because it is illegal,” he added. Masisi said the UDC has never had peace and all it ever does is make death wishes and war. “They have a track record of fighting amongst themselves. They beat their chest and promote instability,” Masisi said. He added that Madibela-Tlhopho should never tamper with the upcoming elections by breaking the law.
Madibela-Tlhopho is an official UDC group or arrangement endorsed by the UDC National Executive Committee (NEC) and a project under the office of the UDC president, Boko. Madibela-Tlhopho was conceived to protect the electoral system. “They aren't IEC and their job is to vote and go back home. Boganka le boganana bo tla kgalemelwa. This is not a threat but a warning, the law will be followed,” Masisi pointed out. He further emphasised that they don’t want the country of Botswana to be ruined by lawlessness. Masisi’s remarks come after Boko’s recent utterances indicating that if Masisi rigs this month’s General Election, then the latter will pay with their life. Boko is still convinced that the 2019 General Election was rigged despite the Court of Appeal (CoA) having dismissed UDC’s election petitions in early 2020. Speaking at UDC’s Molepolole North candidate launch last month, Boko revealed that if Masisi or anyone attempts to steal the elections, then they will pay with their lives. He said Masisi believes they will allow him to cheat like he had allegedly done in 2019.
“There is no time or opportunity for cheating in the upcoming elections,” added Boko, who is still sceptical of the electoral process and fearful of the alleged massive rigging. Boko said the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) or anyone who tries cheating tactics will pay. “We are with them all the way and we are issuing a stern warning to the IEC. Should they try anything to steal the elections, they will lose their lives,” he emphasised. Recently, Boko issued another threat to IEC secretary, Jeff Siamisang, saying that if the latter tries to steal the elections he will be putting himself in danger along with his family. Boko has always remained adamant in his belief that the 2019 General Election was rigged by the BDP. In January 2020 the CoA dismissed with costs 14 UDC election petitions. The petitions were dismissed citing a lack of jurisdiction. The UDC had petitioned the court and contested the outcome of the elections citing “irregularities in some of the constituencies”. Before the CoA judgment, the petitions were dismissed by the High Court a day before Christmas Day in 2019. Boko’s stolen election claims were discredited by judges in election petitions that failed to overturn the election result.