National carrier, Air Botswana is caught up in political controversy ahead of general elections after it is accused of suspending its operations on the days the main opposition will be launching its manifesto in northern Botswana.
Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) activists took to social media upon realising that Air Botswana has suspended its operations of flights to the tourism town of Maun (about 900 kilometres from the capital Gaborone) in northern part of the country from 17-19 May.
They claim this was done deliberately to deny them flight because these are the same date that the party is scheduled to launch its election manifesto.
But Air Botswana has distance itself from the discussions “doing the rounds on social media regarding the non-operation of flights to Maun during the weekend of 17-19 May 2019 as being politically motivated.”
In a statement, the airline claimed that decision to rationalize the schedule of the airline is purely based on its current resource and capacity constraints.
Opposition activists claimed the decision is political motivated because Air Botswana= Board Chairman Tebogo Masire is ruling Botswana Democratic Party ( BDP) activist, another board member, Mpho Balopi is BDP secretary general and BDP parliamentary candidate, Bernard Bolele, is vice chairperson.
KO/as/APA