Inside the BPF war room
Lebogang Mosikare | Monday September 26, 2022 06:00
Already, there are murmurs of disgruntlement following the suspension of the interim president of the BPF, Biggie Butale last year amid allegations that he had sexually violated a female party activist among a slew of charges. Butale has, however, denied the allegations describing them as a political witch hunt. Butale’s protracted suspension has already caused some to conclude that his suspension was part of a well orchestrated conspiracy to discredit him with a view to later replace him as party president. The contest for the BPF presidency has already created factional fault lines within the party with some Butale sympathisers calling for his immediate reinstatement.
Also, the recent suspensions of some BPF cadres such as Vuyo Notha (deputy secretary-general), Botsalo Morotsi (Youth League secretary-general), Dineo Tumotumo (Central region chairperson) and Annah Maswikiti (Women’s League secretary for Labour Affairs), has intensified mayhem in the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) splinter party. The BPF came into existence following the toxic fallout of President Mokgweetsi Masisi and his predecessor Ian Khama on the eve of the 2019 General Election. Just like Butale, calls for the quartet’s reinstatement have intensified and also widened political rifts between the BPF factions. The BPF says it does not have factions but only cadres jostling for various positions on offer ahead of its maiden congress. While the BPF inaugural elective congress at first promised to be an explosive contest, some analysts say it will be a one-sided affair since Goya and his lobby list have the backing of seating BPF legislators and councillors. In addition to the support of the councillors and Member, of Parliament (MPs), Goya reportedly has the massive support of the BPF patron, former president Ian Khama.
To put the above claim into its proper perspective, Goya, who is described in some quarters as a proxy of Khama, has told a local publication this week that he indeed enjoys the backing of ex-president Khama, a juggernaut within political cycles of Botswana. On top of that, there are rumours that Goya will hand over the presidency of the BPF to Tshekedi Khama, the young brother of ex-president Khama, at some point after the looming elective congress should he come out on top. Goya’s lobby list consists of Mephato Reatile (vice president), Shadoof Baaitse (treasurer), Phagenyane Phage (national organising secretary), Kolaatamo Malefho (secretary-general), Vuyo Notha (deputy secretary-general), and Carter Morupisi (international relations).
Guma’s lobby list has Caroline Lesang (deputy president), Baemedi Kudumane (chairperson), Lawrence Ookeditse (secretary-general), Ford Moiteela (national organising secretary) and Reitumetse Aphiri (deputy secretary-general).
Asked by Mmegi why he thinks he is the best candidate to lead the BPF, Goya said: “I have been in the field of politics for quite some time. When I look at the experience of other political leaders in Botswana, we are almost at the same level. I come from a stable political environment (BDP) and I want to impart that stability in the BPF. In the past I have been deployed to a number of ministries: Education, Basic Education, Investment, Trade and Industry and Tertiary Education. These deployments have given me the political gravitas and wherewithal to lead the BPF.” The former Palapye legislator also said he is not happy about the current infightings and suspensions of party cadres more so in the build up to the BPF’s elective congress. “Under normal circumstances, suspensions are not necessary and healthy for the party leading to its elective congress because when you suspend some people, you are bringing disunity and disharmony in the party,” said Goya.
Quizzed if he held the same view about the perpetual suspension of Butale, Goya replied: “I don’t want to dwell on Butale’s suspension but I have already expressed my displeasure to the party about his perpetual suspension. I am of the view that the BPF should have long resolved his suspension because it is attracting backlash to the party from the public.” Goya also underscored the need for those who will lose during the congress to support the winners and the latter to also embrace the former. “I will obviously support the winner. I am a unifier and builder. I believe in the democratic handing over of power following an election. In any contest there is bound to be a winner and loser. Winners and losers should work together. My aim is to grow the BPF brand,”
Goya promised. He also dismissed speculation that he will at some point hand over the BPF’s leadership to Tshekedi Khama after winning the presidential contest. “That is an unfounded and ill-advised sentiment. If I were to do that, I would have betrayed the trust and confidence of the BPF supporters who voted for me.”
For his part Guma curtly said: “I have done interviews with your sister publication about the same topic and I won’t be giving the same interview again.” Among other questions that Mmegi wanted to ask Guma were, why he thinks he was the best candidate to become the president of the BPF and that there are rumours to the effect that he has been sent by some people to "infiltrate the BPF and scuttle its growth."
A political analyst at the University of Botswana (UB), Adam Mfundisi says the competition between Goya and Guma will be closely contested adding that its results will be tough to predict. “Intra-party democracy does impact positively to democratic representation and consolidation. To achieve these, political party structures must promote impersonal rules, processes and procedures that ensure equity within the organisation. The opposite of that would result in unbridled opportunism and parochial self-interest of individual politicians that may scuttle the growth of the BPF. Internal party democracy must ensure that structures and processes follow due process and are accountable to the membership of the party,” Mfundisi said.
He underlined that since the BPF is new in the political landscape, it needs to tread carefully to avoid entropy. “Both lobby lists have talent and therefore the voting delegates have a wide choice. Polarisation that is taking place prior to the inaugural elective congress is poisoning the contestation. Internal party practices must promote democratic values of accountability, ethics, transparency and equity among others. Godfatherism is evident in the BPF and the role of former president Khama in any contest is a determining factor on the success of any candidate within the BPF fold. Khama is not only a financier of the party, but he is highly influential in the BPF. He is a de facto leader of the BPF. As a paramount chief of the Bangwato tribe and its environs, he wields intensive and extensive power and influence over the BPF. Whoever has the support of Khama will have a competitive advantage,” noted Mfundisi.
The UB political commentator added that those who rule out Guma should do so at their own peril. “But you cannot rule out Guma because he is a shrewd politician who possesses the financial muscle and political pedigree to pull it out at the end of the contest. The Khama factor will be one of the determining factors in the contest. The other factor is the support of three BPF MPs in Serowe and a swath of councillors. Whoever wins the hearts and minds of the representatives of the people within the BPF will have an added advantage. It seems Goya enjoys the support of the latter. All in all, party structures also determine the outcome of the contest," he said.
On the contrary, Mfundisi warns that cracks may further widen in the BPF if losers feel that they were unfairly treated by the leadership of the BPF. “But if the process is free, fair, credible and democratic, the parties will accept the results. In essence, the winner must embrace the losers and work together for the betterment of the party.”