Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) President Duma Boko has developed an uncanny knack for subtly invoking the Scripture to guide him in resolving disputes surrounding the estranged Botswana Movement for Democracy (BMD).
Speaking during this past weekend rally at Diphetogo Grounds in Gaborone West, Boko said that should the coalition leadership fail to resolve problems with BMD, then the matter would be handed to the masses to decide.
Just like in the Scripture, when Pontius Pilate failed to find Jesus - who was called the Christ –guilty, he asked for Peter to wash his hands publicly and handed Jesus to the mercy of the Jews to decide what to do with him. The Jews set a convicted murderer, Barrabas free and demanded that Jesus be executed.
BMD was last month slapped with a suspension from the UDC. The party was ordered to make representation last week. The BMD responded with a hard-hitting letter rubbishing the suspension. Prior to the writing of the letter BMD had requested through another letter that UDC President Advocate Duma Boko furnish them with Minutes of the meeting at which the decision to suspend BMD was taken, attendance register and the letter that invited BMD to that meeting which suspended the BMD.
In response Advocate Boko indicated that he would not be able to avail such documents because they have to be first presented at a UDC National Executive Committee meeting to be ratified before they could be given to the BMD.At a rally in Gaborone this past weekend, Advocate Boko revealed that the matter of the BMD would be dealt with accordingly.
He explained that proper channels have been followed and continue to be followed when dealing with the matter. “People need to be patient when we deal with these issues. Why should we rush things? Procedure has to be followed. We are meeting on Wednesday in Francistown as NEC to deliberate on the matter.
“Once everything has been finalised we will accordingly communicate. Once the decision has been made those who celebrate can celebrate and those who cry and throw tantrums can also do so. When we get to that conclusion whether you cry or what you do, there is nothing that can be done.
“If we fail as leadership then we will let members of the UDC to decide. The matter would now be in your hands,” he said to the applause of the multitudes that thronged the rally.The UDC leader said he has confidence in his followers. He indicated that people are taking UDC members for granted and have a perception that they are not capable of resolving any matter.
There is nothing great like leading people, because when you cannot solve a problem they would do that for you, Boko said. Boko who is also a Member of Parliament for Gaborone Bonnington North stated that the UDC is currently going through final examination. “And I know we will pass that examination.
There is no problem that cannot be solved. The same problem UDC is going through, Botswana National Front once experienced it and I gave BNF members a go ahead when we met in Mahalapye to decide the matter,” he said. For his part UDC Chairman also President of Botswana People’s Party (BPP) Motlatsi Molapisi said he does not understand why people question his party’s stance on the BMD issue.
He explained that the BPP has endorsed the suspension of the BMD and there is no further explanation that has to be given. “I spoke to Advocate Boko about the matter and that BPP fully supports the suspension. If I did not call you to talk to you about it that is not a problem. I do not go around making announcements to everyone. There are valid reasons why BMD was suspended,” said Molapisi.
The UDC chairman called on party members to desist from attacking the BMD especially in the public domain. He said if there is an issue, UDC resolves such issues in-house and not at public rallies. He expressed concern that at the time of the UDC rally in Gaborone, BMD was in Francistown and could be attacking the UDC. He said problems of the coalition should not be discussed in public rallies calling on UDC members to protect the national project.
When the BMD was on the verge of a split and Boko was called upon to intervene, he invoked for his guide and counsel, the parable of King Solomon and the two prostitutes that both claimed to be the mother of the child.
Boko said at the time, “The baby must live”, but with hindsight it remains to be seen which baby this was!