Radisigo to retain F/town mayorship
Chakalisa Dube | Tuesday June 7, 2022 06:00
The ruling party, which is a majority in the council, goes to its caucus on Sunday where councillors are expected to endorse the re-election of Radisigo through a consensus.
The mayoral elections will be on June 9. No one from the opposition is expected to challenge Radisigo because of a lack of numbers. Radisigo has made it no secret that he wants to continue in the position. BDP councillors have reportedly reached common ground that Radisigo should be retained as mayor. There were initial reports that Eric Mabengano will contest the position of mayor against Radisigo. Mabengano has, however, turned his attention to the position of deputy mayor. He is said to be the frontrunner in the race for the position of deputy. It is also reported that he will face off against Modiri Lucas and Lillian Griesmier. The current deputy mayor, Gaethuse Ramolotsana will reportedly not have a rerun.
The Tati Town councillor previously told The Monitor that he wants to focus on other commitments. “Some of the councillors are lobbying Itekeng ward's Lesego Kwambala to contest for the position of deputy mayor but he is yet to make up his mind,” an insider at the BDP said yesterday. Sources have said Kwambala is viewed as someone who has the right credentials to be deputy mayor and he is likely to get backing should he decide to contest. Kwambala had initially expressed the desire to contest for the position of mayor but later changed his mind. Early this year he indicated his desire to quit active politics but some party cadres convinced him to stay.
Two years ago Kwambala defied a party caucus and contested the position of deputy mayor but lost marginally against Radisigo. The party did not take any action against him. BDP chairperson from the Francistown region, Baemedi Medupi who will preside over the caucus confirmed that the party councillors will meet on Sunday to choose their preferred mayor and deputy. “At the moment I do not know who is interested in contesting and other dynamics.
Councillors will decide who they want to be mayor without interference from the party. They will do so (decide who becomes mayor) looking at the interests of the city,” he said.