President Mokgweetsi Masisi has reportedly apologised to the Indian community after hinting that certain individuals were not donating to the Covid-19 Relief Fund despite having come to Botswana as paupers.
When addressing the media at the beginning of April, Masisi complained of the harsh treatment some Batswana were subjected to by their employers.
“Re a ba bona some of these business people, bangwe babone ba tsile mono ba rwele bo mpeechane, gompieno ke bahumi ba dinaledi. Ba tshosetsa babereki ba bone mo seemong se sa corona, se se amileng mongwe le mongwe. Re tsile go sireletsa babereki kgatlhanong le bone. Reba lebile, itsholelo ya rona emo diatleng tsa bone ese Batswana. Ga re kake ratla go kgerisiwa ke batho mo lefatshing la rona,” he had said.
The statement reportedly irked some of the Indian community who felt the President’s remarks were directed at them.
It is said that such individuals decided not to donate towards the Covid-19 Relief Fund as they felt insulted by the same person they helped to win elections.
According to a source, roughly three weeks ago, the President issued an apology retracting his statement.
“It was only after his apology that they then started making donations,” claimed the source.
Despite the source’s clear stand, Press Secretary to the President, Batlhalefi Leagajang dismissed such reports as rubbish.
“Can you approach the Presidency with serious issues that you have proof of? We honestly can’t be dealing with rumour mongering all the time,” responded Leagajang when asked about the alleged apology.
Meanwhile, another source within government said that although the issue could be true, people should be aware of a syndicate established to tarnish the President’s image and derail his efforts in the fight against corruption as key investigations are getting closer to them.
“Some of the investigations involving foreign banks will soon be closed and that is why you see an small apology issue coming up,” reasoned the source.
For his part, former President of the Muslim Association, Satar Dada distanced himself from the issue saying he was not aware of it.
