said that the warring parties have agreed to work together. He indicated that they held a cordial meeting with both sides and nominated councillor and former mayor, Peter Ngoma was unanimously chosen to chair future caucus meetings. Ngoma has been one of the protagonists in the BDP wars in Francistown. The meeting at the party office last Friday came after BDP councillors clashed in Francistown. Serema explained that party caucuses are made for the party to take a common position to avoid the embarrassment of councillors differing openly in public.
“In this instance, BDP councillors had differed, and the two groups of BDP councillors, clashed openly in an area in which they are in majority,” Serema said.
At the Friday meeting, he said councillors agreed that mistakes were made and they agreed to forge ahead and work together. “We are convinced that the rift that existed before we got into our Friday meeting is no more. In fact, councillors even elected someone who will always call caucus meetings for the party civic leaders. Confusion has now ended and BDP councillors have from now henceforth vowed to work closely together with a view to delivering their promises to the electorate.”
Serema indicated that the civic leaders resolved their issues in the absence of the peace team. “It is interesting because civic leaders made their decisions in our absence. That’s really positive,” he said.
Serema indicated that Tshipinare presented a report on the Francistown situation to the party Central Committee on Monday.
“They were happy that Francistown BDP councillors have buried the hatchet and are prepared to work cooperatively together. This has enhanced prospects for lasting peace in the region.”
Francistown has been BDP’s hotspot for sometime. Last year a group loyal to Ngoma boycotted a caucus held at the party office to strategise for the mayoral elections. Subsequently, the Ngoma faction clashed in public with the group led by the current mayor Ignatius Moswaane. Moswaane’s group later lodged a complaint with the party leadership, complaining about the conduct of the Ngoma faction. Serema and Tshipinare were then sent to reconcile the two sides. When contacted on Monday, Moswaane expressed hope that councillors would put the interests of the electorate first.
“So far, so good,” he said.
