“I know how the man rigged elections” – Situmbeko
A text message attack on the Minister of Finance and Economic Development, Thapelo Matsheka has landed an angry young politician in trouble with the police.
27- year old Tumisang Setumbeko had a depressing festive season after he was arrested by Crime Intelligence Officers for sending messages to Matsheka demanding payment for an alleged unpaid election campaign deal.
In the message, which was sent on the 28th of December, Setumbeko accused Matsheka of corruption and fraud and threatened to expose his secrets.
The message reads, ‘You are a fake leader! And I would expose all your secrets from elections, corruption up to business and fraud.’
In an interview this week, the young man claimed that Matsheka had recruited him to campaign for him in the 2019 General elections with a promise of P50 000 once-off payment if he won.
He said after losing BDP primary elections in Newlook Maipei ward, in Lobatse, Matsheka asked him to contest as an independent candidate so they could be a tag team since Matsheka didn’t have good relations with the candidate that won.
The young man further alleged that Matsheka convinced him to quit his events management business and promised him P50 000 payment to assist him with the campaign
“We worked well together until he won elections and he stopped taking my calls. I know his secrets. I know how he rigged the elections. I sent him a message threatening to expose those secrets and he reported me to the police. The following day, I was home in Moshupa when I saw a car parked near our yard, I went to confront the driver and asked him if he needed help. Immediately another car arrived and three men armed with guns came out asking if I was Setumbeko. Before I could respond they said they were looking for me and handcuffed me,” said Setumbeko
According to Setumbeko, the law enforcement officers, went into his parents and confiscated his cellphone and drove him to Gaborone to question him.
‘I found a panel of officers who asked me about the message. I confirmed that indeed I sent it and told them the minister owes me money. They photographed me and sent the pictures to Matsheka. One of them called him and after that, they released me and warned me not to do it again otherwise I would disappear.”
‘monna o seka wa tlhola o boella, re tla go nyeletsa’. They said”
Setumbeko however said he would not stop demanding payment from Matsheka until he pays him.
When reached for a comment Matsheka confirmed that Setumbeko had sent threatening messages with an unknown number so he reported the incident to the police.
He said after the police arrested and described him, he realised it was Setumbeko and asked them to free him.
The minister did not want to comment further except to emphasise that he never had a deal with the young man although he knows him from Lobatse.
