In the 2024 election report submitted to the Minister for State President last month, the Commission admitted that the decision to beef up security around their personnel was motivated by what it terms as ‘sporadic acts of intimidation and threats against the leadership of the IEC. Speaking of threats, Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC), which entered the 2024 General Election cycle still skeptical of the electoral process, were amongst the parties which blatantly criticised the IEC and its leadership. In the build-up to the 2024 election, President Duma Boko, who was then an opposition leader, issued a series of threats 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.
“We are issuing a stern warning to the IEC. Should they try anything to steal the elections, they will lose their lives. Let me tell you now, we have the voters’ roll, comrade Siamisang, and we are investigating everything on it.
So we warn you to stop any foul play or cheating you are doing, and this is directed to Siamisang,” Boko had warned. President Boko revealed then that if President Mokgweetsi Masisi or anyone attempts to steal the elections, then they will pay with their lives. Boko, who was doubtful of the electoral process and fearful of massive rigging, even conceived Madibela-Tlhopho to protect the electoral system.
[paywall]
Madibela-Tlhopho is an official UDC group or arrangement endorsed by the UDC National Executive Committee (NEC) and a project under Boko’s UDC office. Boko was adamant in his belief that the 2019 General Election was rigged by the former ruling party, Botswana Democratic Party (BDP). It’s troubling, however, that those pursued by this craft busting agency and other security organs, are seemingly individuals who are supposed to be providing exemplary leadership.
The alleged culprits are also mainly ex-Cabinet members associated with the previous ruling Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) while others are former senior public officers. This whole development creates an appetite for the enforcement of the Declaration of Assets and…
[/paywall]
