Factionalism, tribalism cost BDP in Palapye

The deep internal differences that rocked the party in the Palapye constituency, in particular the Boikago/Madiba ward, were mainly brought about by the noisy BDP primary elections. In an interview post the weekend by-election, a senior party operative in the Letswapo region could not hide his disappointment at the turn of events.

Gabagopole Sebele, BDP’s Letswapo region chairperson said he was terribly disappointed that the BDP had scored what he calls an own goal. But he was not  surprised that they lost the by-election. “We experienced difficult situations during our campaigns. There were serious allegations that some leaders supported Dimeku over Boitshepho Kinnear. After losing, Kinnear’s supporters withdrew their support from the winning candidate and some even de-campaigned the ruling party openly,” he said.