Keorapetse unseats Saleshando
Tsaone Basimanebotlhe | Monday July 11, 2022 13:00
The Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) endorsed Keorapetse as the new Leader of Opposition (LOO) following yesterday’s caucus.
The move comes on the heels of the UDC National Executive Committee (NEC) suspending Botswana Congress Party (BCP) president, Dumelang Saleshando for misconduct.
Yesterday’s caucus aimed to topple the now outgoing LOO, Saleshando from the position following his suspension.
Not even BCP’s move to block some of its MPs from attending the UDC caucus could have prevented the coalition from playing a game of chess to a checkmate, as the directive was not successful since some attended anyway.
Those who defied the BCP order included Keorapetse, Kenny Kapinga, Onneetse Ramogapi, Never Tshabang and David Tshere. The Monitor enquired with BCP publicity secretary, Mpho Pheko whether action will be taken against members who defied the party’s directive to not attend the caucus, but she had not responded at the time of going to press.
Given yesterday’s development, Opposition Whip Motsamai Motsamai said: “We are yet to consult our mother body about the decisions made by the parliamentary caucus. Again, we have decided to hold a press conference about the matter. Currently, we cannot comment on the matter before we brief the mother body.”
Initially, a letter dated July 10 by BCP’s Goretetse Kekgonegile stated: “Please note that the party has been briefed about the BCP parliamentary caucus discussions upon which no decision was taken in relation to the Leader of Opposition position and related correspondence from Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) president, hence you are directed as follows; that all members who serve in Parliament of Botswana should not participate in the proposed caucus scheduled for July 10 or any subsequent caucus intended to or the agenda of which is to deal with any matter affecting the Leader of Opposition in Botswana Parliament, until after the direction of the party conference scheduled for July 15–18.”
It also advised members of BCP, more specifically the party’s MPs, to see to it that “no such changes to the LOO position take place and shall take such measures as are in their power to give effect to this decision”.
Playing his cards close to his chest following the outcome of the UDC caucus, Saleshando said as little as possible without giving away his next move: “Let’s allow the process to go through Parliament, then I will comment.”
Currently, the BCP, which is an affiliate of the UDC, is said to be considering pulling out of the coalition due to rising tensions.
Out of the 14 UDC parliamentary seats, BCP forms the majority with a total of 11 MPs in Parliament, while Botswana National Front has two and Botswana People's Party has one.
Botswana Patriotic Front has four MPs while the Alliance for Progressives has one parliamentary seat.