Keorapetse Dismisses ‘Mokoko Wa BCP’
Innocent Selatlhwa | Tuesday December 14, 2021 06:00
It has been intimated to The Monitor that some disgruntled Botswana Congress Party (BCP) members have thrown their weight behind one of their own who wanted to represent the opposition on the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) ticket.
At Moamogwe’s launch on Saturday, it was mostly the purple regalia of AP and just a few colours of the supporting parties.
The top table was, however, the true reflection of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) they signed. Leaders from all cooperating parties were in attendance. Selebi-Phikwe West legislator, Dithapelo Keorapetse called on all to ignore anyone claiming to represent the BCP as an independent candidate and rally behind the AP instead.
“Do not listen to anyone who tells you that they were sent by the BCP. There is no truth in that. I can tell you that the differences at BDP led to them having an independent candidate. Moamogwe is against the BDP, their independent candidate and this other independent candidate. I urge you all from all parties to get ready and vote for Moamogwe. Look after your cards. We hear the BDP is busy playing dirty tricks,” he said.
Keorapetse added they would keep on working to ensure that they live up to the MoU signed by the cooperating parties. He called on all voters to only elect chosen candidates as they as the BCP never sent anyone to stand independently. He said it was time that opposition parties work together as they could be forced to rule as a coalition.
Even though they signed the MoU last year, it is only now that the strength of their umbrella is being tested. It has become evident that those at the lower structures have not fully appreciated the idea of unity with most putting their interest to stand ahead of everything else.
At Lerolwane (Goodhope-Mabule) and Ga-Molopo (Mmathethe-Molapowabojang) wards, Botswana Patriotic Front and UDC both fielded candidates because none of the parties would compromise.
The 11 by-elections are expected to continue over the weekend amidst the growing numbers of new COVID-19 infections in the wake of the Omicron variant.