Elections are not won behind the keyboard, however, indications are that Ramotswa legislator Lefoko Moagi who has expressed desire to return to Parliament in 2024 faces an uphill battle. The Minister for Minerals and Energy, who made his debut in Parliament in 2019, came under attack after he failed to verify whether or not Kgosi Mosadi Seboko was telling the truth when she accused President Mokgweetsi Masisi of meddling in the judiciary. Now, with the case over, with Balete having retained the title deed for Forest Hill 9-KO farm, have expressed erosion of trust in Moagi even when he claimed he voted with the opposition for Kgosi Mosadi this week.

On Tuesday Parliament removed Kgosi Mosadi from the five member Pan-African Parliament (PAP) committee representing Botswana and replaced her with Specially Elected legislator Unity Dow.

But Dow, who was not in Parliament on the day, would the following morning issue a statement turning down the appointment stating that it is not supported by the law regulating election to the PAP and is therefore, of no force or effect. Moagi would also come out to state that he did not support the move and told Mmegi that he did not agree with Kgosi Mosadi’s removal as she had not resigned.

Kgosi Mosadi, who at the time of her removal was attending a PAP committee meeting in South Africa, last week led her tribe to a historic victory against government at the Court of Appeal (CoA) over the piece of land in the outskirts of Gaborone.

Though Moagi claims he has been supporting his tribesmen in their pursuit to get their land back, they view him as a traitor who sat at the table with their enemy. Social media commentators slammed Moagi for claiming to have voted for Kgosi Mosadi while he had been silent when they needed his voice the most. Kgosi Mosadi’s deputy Kgosi Tsimane Mokgosi said they had not seen enough of Moagi’s support as Cabinet Minister. “We went into the General Assembly in the morning where we were informed that Kgosi Mosadi had resigned from the PAP. That meant there was a vacancy and we were told Dow would replace her. When we got to Parliament, the Speaker announced what was agreed. When he reported on the matter, it came to light that Kgosi Mosadi had not resigned contrary to what we were told earlier. There was then confusion over the matter. I stood up and said if there is contradiction, it is only right that we go back to the General Assembly to verify the truth. (Dumelang) Saleshando suggested we vote that she completes her five-year term or not.

Then came the time to vote with 25 members of the BDP and 15 from the opposition. Twenty-four from BDP said No, and I voted with opposition. There was no vacancy, and there was no need to vote her out. What we were told is not what the truth was. Even in Parliament, transcripts can be produced to verify that indeed I voted with the opposition. It is not true that all BDP members do not want her at PAP,” Moagi responded to Mmegi inquiries.

Parliamentary records do show that Moagi had indeed stood on a point of procedure and suggested that since there were differences on the matter, there was need to revert to the General Assembly to iron issues out. He commented from a neutral position without declaring his views.

On what has been his position on the fight for the land, and his lack of support for Masisi or Kgosi Mosadi’s words, Moagi said: “As a journalist you would have picked it not knowing my position. Ke tswa kgakala le tsheko ya polasi.I supported it materially and in person. I was always with Kgosi on the issue, even up to now. My work as a Minister just took a lot of time, but events that happened at the weekend like fundraising activities I was always at the Kgotla. What I didn’t comment on was Kgosi Mosadi’s utterances about Masisi because I felt ke mafoko a bagolo ga a tsenwe”.

On whether he would be contesting for elections in 2024, and if he does not think what happened could affect his chances, Moagi said: “Yes, I am standing in 2024 and the people will exercise their mandate.”

Kgosi Tsimane said they could not trust Moagi voted for or against their Kgosi as he had let them down before.

“There is no evidence that he voted against removal of Kgosi Mosadi from PAP. We cannot be assured he was with us when he did not help us before. There is no evidence to that effect and we cannot take his word for it.

“There is no truth in that he was with us in this journey as we hardly saw him. Maybe it was because he was busy with Cabinet duties. Also, there was a point he was unwell, which could have kept him away or maybe he was just scared to stand with us,” he said.

Kgosi Tsimane said when they had asked Moagi why he did not state what he knew as the truth when he was quizzed on what was said between President Masisi and Kgosi Mosadi, he said he could not deny the meeting but was not at liberty to disclose whatever was discussed.