*Moswaane and Councilor’s relations reach ‘fok-fok’ stage
A long standing feud between Member of Parliament for Francistown West Ignatius Moswaane and Monarch Councilor Dorcas Nakedi Moemedi reached fever pitch this past weekend as the two politicians traded blows that left many with mouths agape.
A battle of words ensued following the MP’s remarks made during the official opening of a retail store in Gerald where he famously referred to some Councilors as ‘bo mabina go tsholwa’ (cowards who celebrate results they didn’t work for).
In a leaked WhatsApp audio, Moemedi whose public spats with Moswaane have been ongoing for the past three years, can be heard having a go at the maverick MP.
Never one to back down Moemedi called out Moswaane’s leadership style, accusing him of abusing his Ministerial powers to threaten and curtail criticism and discernment.
The outspoken Moemedi was expelled from the Botswana People’s Party (BPP) last year alongside Trade Minister Tiroeaone Ntsima, a decision political observers said was influenced by the MP. Ntsima’s expulsion was however later rescinded, and was welcomed back into the party. Since the expulsion Moemedi and Moswaane’s relationship which was already on the rocks, reached an all-time low, charatectirised by random heated social media rants.
In the latest heated exchange, the two took it a notch higher.
In one of the recordings Moemedi posits that the MP has a loyal hit squad he uses to unleash terror on his political opponents.
“If anything happens to me, if I get hit by a car, Francistown West residents should ask Moswaane,” said Moemedi.
She followed that up by asking for heavenly intervention on the Minister’s life.
“12 wa chaa, a re rapelle monna yo modimo o motsee. Re lapile” (It’s almost midnight let’s pray to God to take him. I’ve had enough,” was Moemedi’s chilling WhatsApp recording, inviting one of Moswaane’s old adversary Keolopile Simane to unite in prayer for the MP’s demise.
The former Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) Youth Publicity Officer, was onceone of Moswaane’s trusted lieutenants.
His relationship with the MP has been on and off for the past 10 years.
In 2017 Simane, as the BDP youth officer called for action against Moswaane, accusing him of attacking the party and its president.
Simane demanded action against Moswaane who later dumped the BDP to stand for elections as an independent candidate.
He was also at the centre of a controversial claim, where he is accusing Moswaane of defrauding CEDA through his cooking gas company.
“He knows what he did, and I wonder why this matter is not being investigated since I’ve submitted all the proof. It appears even the police are scared of Moswaane,” said Simane in an interview on Wednesday.
In an interview with The Voice Moemedi said her relationship with Moswaane soured during the 2024 campaign trail, where she accused him of decampaigning her.
“I always confronted him, and he hated it, and from then he’s used every opportunity to belittle me in front of people,” she said.
“However this week in Gerald Estates he went too far, referring to us Councilors as Bo mabina go tsholwa and thogwana moimele was disrespectful, and that’s what sparked those voice notes,” Moemedi told The Voice.
She said contrary to popular belief, they were never against the opening of a retail shop in Gerald, but questioned the manner in which the lease agreement was conducted.
“He did it alone through his office. Lease agreements should have been handled by council, but of course when you question this you become an enemy of Moswaane,” Moemedi said.
On her wish to see the legislator dead, Moemedi said, the statement was made in the heat of the moment.
“I was angry, but I reiterate that should anything happen to me, people should ask Moswaane,” she said.
Reached for comment Moswaane said Simane and Moemedi are running away from their own shadows.
“In politics, when you differ, you go to the polls, you don’t wish death upon your opponent. I despise sponsored propaganda,” fired Moswaane.
“I wish them a long life and I pray to God to remove fear from their hearts. I worked very hard for Dorcas to win elections, she’s not a winning material,” Moswaane said.
The Francistown West legislature said the fear emanates from the fact that from as far back as 2014, the political teams that he supported always won elections.
“Even when I stood as an Independent, the team I supported sailed through. So if you can’t beat them, join them,” was the MP’s parting shot.
