Botswana: Minister instructs producers to re-record television show
On 17 August 2004, Minister of Land and Housing Margaret Nasha instructed the producers of "The Eye" programme to re-record a segment of the show in order to exclude opposition party member Dumelang Saleshando, who is seeking election as a member of parliament. In an interview with MISA-Botswana, Saleshando said he, Nasha, who belongs to the ruling party, and Robert Molefhabangwe, of the Botswana National Front, were interviewed on 16 August for a "The Eye" show that was to be aired on Botswana Television (BTV) the following day. After the interview, Saleshando said the minister allegedly gave instructions for the programme to be re-recorded, saying that Saleshando was "too political in his deliberations".
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ALERT - BOTSWANA
20 August 2004
Minister instructs producers to re-record television show
SOURCE: Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA), Windhoek
(MISA/IFEX) - On 17 August 2004, Minister of Land and Housing Margaret Nasha
instructed the producers of "The Eye" programme to re-record a segment of
the show in order to exclude opposition party member Dumelang Saleshando,
who is seeking election as a member of parliament. Saleshando is a member of
the Botswana Congress Party.
In an interview with MISA-Botswana, Saleshando said he, Nasha, who belongs
to the ruling party, and Robert Molefhabangwe, of the Botswana National
Front, were interviewed on 16 August for a "The Eye" show that was to be
aired on Botswana Television (BTV) the following day. After the interview,
Saleshando said the minister stayed behind at the studio. She then allegedly
gave instructions for the programme to be re-recorded, saying that
Saleshando was "too political in his deliberations".
Saleshando confirmed that he received a call from one of the producers who
said that the programme had been re-recorded featuring only Molefhabangwe
and Nasha. He said he was surprised that he was not invited and that the
programme was aired on 17 August without his views.
"I felt abused because I took time to prepare for the programme and I
strongly feel this is a denial of freedom of expression," he said.
He said that Nasha felt threatened by the comments he made regarding the
Lesetedi Commission Report, a report of the judicial commission of inquiry
into state land allocation in the capital, Gaborone, and that this was why
she was uncomfortable with the broadcast of the programme. Saleshando is
reportedly contesting the same seat as Nasha in central Gaborone.
MISA-Botswana Chairperson Amilia Malebane-Lopez said citizens should be
informed and given the opportunity to hear how those they want to vote for,
or are considering voting for, handle land issues in Botswana. Lopez said
this case needs to be pursued further to understand why Saleshando was
denied a voice during a critical election period.
BACKGROUND:
On 28 July, the "Daily News" reported that the Lesetedi Commission had been
appointed by President Festus Mogae to investigate and report on state land
allocation in Gaborone following the adoption by parliament of a motion put
forward in December 2003 by Gaborone West Member of Parliament Robert
Molefhabangwe.
The commission's terms of reference were to establish whether the minister
of lands and housing had powers to allocate state land and the circumstances
under which the minister could do so. Three cabinet ministers, Daniel
Kwelagobe, who was local government, lands and housing minister from
December 1998 to October 1999, Jacob Nkate, who was lands and housing
minister from October 1999 to 2002, and the current minister, Nasha,
appeared before the investigating team.
During public hearings, ministers and public officers found themselves on a
collision course and each party accused the other party of misleading them.
However, what became apparent to both parties, as well as the commissioners,
was that laws and procedures were contravened in the allocation of some of
the land.
For further information, contact Zoe Titus or Kaitira Kandjii, Regional
Information Coordinator, MISA, Street Address: 21 Johann Albrecht Street,
Mailing Address; Private Bag 13386 Windhoek, Namibia, tel: +264 61 232 975,
fax: +264 61 248 016, e-mail: [email protected] or [email protected],
Internet: http://www.misa.org
The information contained in this alert is the sole responsibility of MISA.
In citing this material for broadcast or publication, please credit MISA.
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