Friday April 10, 2020 news.thevoicebw.com news.thevoicebw.com V1142 P8.50 SPEAKS FOR ITSELF (Incl VAT) SUICIDE IN TROUBLED SOUL: Selaledi LOCKDOWNSEE PAGE 2 MASISI DENIES 10 PERCENT MPS SALARY HIKE WAS A BRIBE I DIDN’T BRIBE MPS TO VOTE FOR MY MOTION PRESIDENT of Parliament’s (SOPE)motion. suggest that whatever Mokgweetsi Masisi basic salaries by 10 Speaking in an ex- decision the MPs agree has dismissed as “an percent on Tuesday clusive interview with on would be influenced The Voice on the side- by a bribe. insult’ allegations was a bribe for them lines of the Extra Or- that a sudden and to support his six dinary Parliament on TURN TO PAGE 2 unprecedented months State of Wednesday, Masisi said increase of Members Public Emergency that it was an insult to 2 THE VOICE FRIDAY 10.04.2020 MASISI DENIES 10 PERCENT MPS SALARY HIKE WAS A BRIBE FROM PAGE ONE Kablay explained as he went cepting the 10 percent salary on to rubbish allegations that increment they changed their “That’s an insult to our his palms were greased to vote minds. They were definitely MPS. When did we start to use in support of the proposed six bought to vote for what Ma- public funds to entice people months SOPE. sisi wants,” said the concerned to vote in a particular way? According to an opposi- MP who said as opposition Mps We did agree two years back to tion MP who didn’t want to be they were shocked and caught negotiate public servants sala- named, the salary increment off guard by the generous ges- ries. Was that a bribe? Asked issue was sprung up on them ture because they were told the president. on Tuesday at the General As- at the last seating of parlia- He made his remarks in the sembly held at Boipuso hall in ment that issues of members’ middle of an interview in which the middle of COVID 19 discus- wellness will be shelved indefi- this publication was quizzing sions. “ It was a bribe to the nitely because of budgetary Botswana Democratic Party BDP backbench. They knew constraints brought about by (BDP) Chief Whip, Liakat we were going to disagree with Covid-19. Kablay about his 10 percent SOPE so they needed their “Both Minister of the Fi- LATE: Selaledi increment on the P39 000 basic back bench,” said the MP nance and Morwaeneg were clear monthly salary. Inside sources further re- before that there was no money Kablay confirmed that a vealed that the 10 percent was to increase MPs salries when they motion was discussed by the an ambush as from nowhere needed to raise P500 million to house in the last seating of the minister of presidential fight covid 19, so we were shocked parliament to allow MPs to use Affairs, Governance and Pub- that it was the same Morwaeng government vehicles to tour lic Administration, Kabo Mor- who came up with the 10percent their constituencies instead of waeng stood up and asked for increase this week.” their private cars. permission to brief the house On Thursday evening after SUICIDE IN “The opposition MPs were on something unrelated to co- three days of heated debate, at the forefront of that motion. vid-19 only for him to announce parliament approved a motion They vehemently argued that the increment with immediate to extend his current 21- day they needed assistance with effect. SOPE to six months in the fight government vehicles but in- “We had lobbied the BDP against COVID 19. stead government has decided backbench and they had agreed Botswana has so far regis- to vote with us against the six tered 13 cases of Covid- 19 with LOCKDOWN to give us a 10 percent incre- ment as travel/ car allowance,” months SOPE but after ac- one death. Popular activist overdoses at home BY SHARON MATHALA ing in my head so much lately. I thought going back on my meds Terrified at the thought of would be helpful but even with numbed emotions, I still stay in being stuck in doors for the my head. Trust that the isolation next 28 days, in the early isn’t helping because yes that just hours of Thursday 2 April - a means ample time for me to be in day before Botswana was my head and it sucks coz my sup- due to go into lockdown – port system isn’t as strong as I’d wish it would be.” 23-year-old Kutlwano Selaledi Six hours later, Selaledi’s last took their own life. message reads simply, “I’m sorry.” Selaledi, who was a gender They died soon after. non-conformist, meaning they Tributes have since been pour- did not regard themselves as ei- ing in on social media for the pop- ther male or female, is said to ular activist. The Lesbians, Gays have overdosed on their depres- and Bisexuals of Botswana (LE- sion medication at their home in GABIBO) organisation, to which Palapye. Selaledi was closely associated, They were buried this Wednes- took to Facebook to offer their day in a quiet ceremony at their own heartfelt condolence. home village of Gabane. “Bubbly was an activists, a Described by friends and col- friend, family, confidante, lover leagues as a hero and lover of and a hero. We will always and for- life, Selaledi, an unemployed law ever remember you and we know graduate from the University of that you are in a better place and Botswana, was said to have been that all the Earthly burdens have For subscription battling with depression for some been lifted from your shoulders. time You are and always will be a true It seems their fragile men- shining star,” reads part of the tal state could not handle the message. CALL: Tebogo thought of four weeks of extreme Warning that depressed people social distancing and the loneli- will be especially vulnerable dur- ness this would involve. ing lockdown, a close associate of GABORONE According to a source close to the deceased, who wished not to the family, Selaledi, nicknamed be named, urged the government Tel: (+267) 316 1585 • Fax: (+267) 393 2822 Bubbly for their friendly nature, to intervene. FRANCISTOWN was found unconscious by their “Government should consider housemate. They were immedi- looking into depression patients Tel: (+267) 241 6621 • Fax: (+267) 241 6693 ately rushed to hospital but certi- and how they are going to help fied dead upon arrival. them. I don’t know how but I fore- “They overdosed on their de- see a lot of incidents like this.” pression pills. Selaledi had been Meanwhile, confirming the sad suffering from depression but did incident, Palapye Station Com- not show any signs of wanting to mander, Beggar Nawa told The take their life prior to the inci- Voice, “We received a report of sui- dent. They were as bubbly as their cide of a 23-year-old. We don’t have name,” insisted an insider. any other details on the matter as news.thevoicebw.com thevoicebw thevoicebw Giving an insight into the it is still fresh.” crippling psychological torment Efforts to get a comment from raging inside them, on the day the deceased’s family proved fu- P O Box 40415, Gaborone, Botswana. Unit 4, Plot 142, Gaborone International Finance Park they died, at 00:36 in the morning, tile at the time of going to press. P O Box 336, Francistown, Botswana Selaledi posted on Facebook: Selaledi’s Aunt shared that she “Much as I try to deny it, sui- was already at the farm and could cidal thoughts have been linger- not talk. news.thevoicebw.com FRIDAY 10.04.2020 THE VOICE 3A SMS 07A TO 16565 SMS 07A TO 16565 SMS 07A TO 16565 KAONE MORATWE AGE: 26 HOME VILLAGE: Kanye OCCUPATION: Student FAVOURITE MEAL: Macaroni cheese HOBBIES: Watching movies SMS EXAMPLE: 07 03A TO 16565 PHOTOGRAPHER: TUMISANG RANKOPO SMS COST P2 ACROSS ALL NETWORKS FIND US ONLINE! thevoicebw thevoicebw thevoicebw thevoicebw thevoicebw_bot news.thevoicebw.com SPEAKS FOR ITSELF 4 THE VOICE FRIDAY 10.04.2020 OPPOSITION PARTIES SPEAK OUT AGAINST SOPE DUMELANG SALESHANDO WYNTER MMOLOTSI PRESIDENT MASISI BY DANIEL CHIDA “ This would be a move by ordinary times, which require our people crying for help. The ASAP, to ramp up testing even the BDP to channel public funds stringent measures to protect promised assistance hasn’t on people with no evident symp- into their coffers to prepare for people and the economic in- reached them. toms. People should be encour- OPPOSITION parties have the 2024 elections campaign,” terest of the country from the aged to go to the nearest health unanimously rejected said Saleshando, adding that effects of the coronavirus pan- 2. PPEs facility upon experiencing even President Mokgweetsi Masisi cannot be trusted with demic. the mildest symptoms. Masisi’s bid to be given a six months of rule by decree be- Provide adequate Person- six months long State of cause some of his relatives are al Protective Equipment for 4. Public space disinfection already alleged to have benefit- public Emergency (SOPE) to health workers such nurses, ed from dubious tenders during WHAT NEEDS doctors and others in sanitation Public health officials at -lo fight Covid-19. the 21 day SOPE the country is and cleaning services as well as cal Government level must im- In an extra ordinary meet- currently under. our security Sector. No health mediately commence a cam- ing of parliament on Wednesday, Concurring with the Vice TO BE DONE worker or any Motswana should paign of mass public spaces Members of parliament debated President of the Umbrella for be infected because of lack of disinfection.