Madigele abandons constituency
Tsaone Basimanebotlhe | Monday May 23, 2022 04:55
Madigele reasoned that the move was necessitated by the fact that he is spending most of the time in Gaborone after 2019 general elections.
“It is true I have duly transferred my BDP membership to Gaborone Bonnington South constituency. This is because I have spent a lot of time in Gaborone post the last general election,” he said in an interview on Thursday.
“I am currently running a medical centre located in Phase 4. It’s a new business, hence I have less time to travel outside Gaborone. I’m devoting a lot of time to growing the business. Incidentally, the location of this business is where I used to stay for about 15 years.”
Madigele explained that he has not thought of standing for the parliamentary seat, as he is currently concentrating only on the development of his business.
However, he said he remains a bonafide member of the BDP, which he is ready to serve and assist in any relevant position.
Mmegi has learnt that Madigele will be challenging the incumbent Member of Parliament (MP), Christian Greeff, in the coming party primary elections.
An insider said it is clear that Madigele will be challenging the current MP. Even during the Bophirima ward by-election, Madigele was more active and assisted in the area. That made the MP complain to the party about him.
His supporters in the area are not hiding it and have secretly started campaigns. The issue is very difficult because he has been staying in the area even before he stood for the Mmathethe/Molapowabojwang constituency.
There have been divisions in the area and his strategic move might make it worse. Again there are those who believe that the move may help the party to retain the constituency.
Early this year when Madigele was asked about his interest to contest for the 2023 party primary elections known as Bulela Ditswe, he had emphasised that he respects the code of conduct of elections of BDP, hence he cannot be seen to be campaigning for something he did not raise a hand for.
Madigele has served the party in different positions before at a local level in the ward and branch and in 2011/2012 he was nominated to serve in the strategy sub-committee.
He is also contesting for the most powerful party position in the BDP, the secretary-general (SG).
On the other hand, Gaborone Bonnington South Constituency branch secretary, Donald Tsabeng indicated that Madigele is yet to apply for membership of the area.
“He has not yet told us that he is now a member and we were yet to confirm with the office. In fact, as a branch, we are shocked that he is now attending cell congresses that the branch committee is not part of. Some of those congresses are called by his supporters. These are some of the issues that we still want to get clarity on, from him and the party.”
He said if the branch committee does not seek clarity then the matter might bring confusion in the area.
Tsabeng further said currently the constituency is divided between Madigele and the current MP Greeff. He said if Madigele is a member of the area, then they will request him to cooperate with the branch committee.
Mmegi has confirmed with Tsholetsa House that indeed Madigele is a card-carrying member of Gaborone Bonnington South and falls under Marulamantsi cell.
Usually a year before the party primaries, some politicians across the political divide start strategically positioning themselves in places they want to contest at.
All political parties are expected to hold their primary elections next year to choose their candidates for the 2024 general elections for both the council and parliamentary seats.
The ruling BDP is one of the political parties that will hold primaries in 2023 though the months and dates for primary elections have not been announced yet. As a result, more and more members who are eyeing certain wards and constituencies will make transfer moves to areas they want to contest at.
Reached for a comment, the incumbent legislator, Greef indicated that he was aware of the appearance of Madigele indicating that he was not scared of the impending challenge.