Member of Parliament for Selebi-Phikwe West- Dithapelo Sticks Koorapetse has condemned the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) over its delay to procure the Corona Virus Disease (COVID-19) vaccine, and vaccinate the nation well on time.
βWeve asked for procurement of high care beds, ventilators and maximum possible preparedness of the rundown health care system. We the UDC. Weve said prepare now for the worst when youve time and resources. Before parliament adjourned Hon. Taolo Lucas asked about the vaccine preparedness. Koorapetse declared.
Koorapetse says it is surprising that the BDP government has not yet purchased the COVID-19 vaccine while countries that has lower economy than that of Botswana has already bought and vaccinated their nations. βWhy has Mauritius and Morocco started vaccinating their people before us? We spend more per capita in health than Mauritius. Why are some poor countries like Myanmar vaccinating their people before the so called upper middle income economy? The honest answer you fail to give is that they planned better than you.β He asserted.
He was responding to claims by the BDP Communications & International Relations Chairperson-Kagelelo Banks Kentse who accused the opposition for misleading the nation saying there is no COVID-19 in Botswana, something which Kentse said is the cause of the escalating positive cases and deaths related to the virus.
βSome of the challenges we face today regarding obeying of COVID-19 protocols are a direct consequence of the words used by some opposition MPs in parliament including Leader of Opposition, they said there is no corona in Botswana, corona is an excuse by BDP to eat money Kentse charged.
Responding to Kentses allegations, Koorapetse said, βWe are unfazed by the propaganda and the rhetoric that we uttered irresponsible statements. Its a lie! Weve the best ideas in the opposition, we always had and the BDP is always playing catch up. Weve encouraged people to wear masks, sanitize, wash their hands, social distance and observe all health protocols. These we said in parliament, kgotla meetings, social media and other media platforms.β
Koorapetse says the BDP is hiding behind lies while it should be addressing the real issue which is telling the nation when the vaccine will be bought. He also said that it is true that at some point there was no or less Corona cases but the BDP imposed a lockdown which was used by the same to steal, That at some point in time there was no corona here cant be disputed. That COVID-19 was used to steal is well known; DCEC said theyre investigating 40+ reports, 2 BDP Mayors allocated themselves tenders in councils theyre running, direct appointment in tenders has wasted hundreds of millions in corruption. It was during Corona war that the President allocated himself a State Farm.β
Koorapetse challenged the BDP government to explain why some health facilities are short-staffed, while others are short of resources while large sums of money were wasted.
“Dont sanitize yourself with us Mr. Banks and your fellow Domkops.”
Dithapelo Koorapetse
