Botswana's media and opposition parties have been urging a Judiciary Commission of inquiry to probe the ongoing relationship between diamond giant De Beers and the Botswana Democratic Party, Mmegi Online said.
In an online editorial, the website repeats reports suggesting that De Beers has been sponsoring the BDP during elections, adding that De Beers' profits "are expected to enhance social, economic and political development as well as to enhance the spiritual growth of individuals, communities and that of the entire nation at large. For only a few organizations and individuals to benefit is uncalled for and should not be entertained and tolerated under any circumstances."
The editorial further suggests that a past fundraising concert sponsored by De Beers, was, if fact, meant to bail out former President Sir Ketumile Masire during his term of office. The allegations, compounded by other alleged irregularities, added the website, now have Botswana's Congress Party saying it intend to take legal action against Masire.
Nevertheless, the editorial added, "the nation needs a broad commission to establish the role the De Beers has been playing in local politics. There is suspicion that De Beers played a role in the infamous Palapye incident, which gave birth to the formation of BCP… These allegations can only be addressed through a broad enquiry. Trade unions, NGO's should agitate for this commission in order to protect the existence of democracy in our country. The enquiry will either implicate or absolve the company."
The Botswana National Front has been calling for regulated political funding in order to avoid abuse of power by the ruling party, but Botswana Democratic Party has largely dismisses the idea.
Lack of regulated political funding, the editorial argues, will further encourage multi-million companies to sponsor certain individuals to form parties, which are ideological identical to BDP.
Such a situation may also encourage proliferation of political parties, which might source funds from countries known to have no respect for human rights, a situation which will not benefit Batswana, which may find itself under the thumb of a foreign master.
