Troubled BPF forced to miss UDC NEC meet
Chakalisa Dube | Tuesday October 25, 2022 06:00
The BPF, which is UDC’s new entrant, was unable to participate in the meeting as a result of internal strife that the party is currently experiencing. The UDC led by its president, Duma Boko, held its NEC meeting in Francistown.
The gathering featured representatives from the Botswana People’s Party and Botswana National Front. The Botswana Congress Party (BCP) is also part of the UDC.
However, the BCP has not participated in UDC activities since July this year following the suspension of some of its representatives in the coalition's NEC. UDC spokesperson, Moeti Mohwasa told The Monitor after the Francistown NEC meeting that some of the reports such as drafts of the constitution and policies could not be discussed because the BPF could not make it to the meeting.
Nearly two months ago, the UDC established streams to draft a constitution and policies that will guide the running of the coalition movement leading to the 2024 General Election.
The drafts were to be presented at the recent NEC meeting for possible adoption. “BPF sent an apology that they will not be present for this meeting because they are still trying to put their house in order.
That is why the reports could not be discussed,” said Mohwasa who previously said that the internal struggles of the BPF will not have any impact on the UDC. He added: “We felt that it will be fair to wait for them.
We are hoping that they will resolve their issues soon.” There has always been fear that challenges in the Umbrella might negatively affect some UDC key activities. Mohwasa admitted that the process of dealing with the draft reports is slower than it was anticipated.
Two factions, one led by suspended president Biggie Butale and the other by interim president Caroline Lesang, are fighting for the soul of the BPF. Mohwasa told journalists that several crucial matters were discussed at the Friday meeting. According to him, it was agreed that a UDC leadership retreat that has been postponed several times will be held on January 21, next year.
He added that the UDC will soon have a body that will be tasked with devising strategies aimed at averting vote rigging at the 2024 General Election. “The focus of the committee will be to explore possible ways of countering vote rigging. We will also be sensitising members of the public and various stakeholders such as civil societies on issues around vote rigging.
Additionally, we have come up with a draft programme of action for the 2024 General Election. We expect it to be adopted at the next NEC meeting,” he said. The UDC believes that the general elections are often characterised by vote rigging which is orchestrated by the ruling party.
Mohwasa further noted that the UDC will soon go on a recruitment drive aimed at attracting members who are not affiliated with any of the parties in the coalition. He explained that the UDC constitution allows for individual membership.
The lowest membership fee will be P50 while the highest figure will be P2,000. The recruitment drive aimed at attracting 300,000 members by 2024 will also be one way of raising funds for the polls amongst others.
“As a way of raising funds, each party in the UDC will be obliged to pay a fee of P25,000 on an annual basis. Each party in the UDC is also expected to contribute 10% of the total money it derives from monthly subscription fees paid by its respective councillors and Members of Parliament {MPs}.” One of the key resolutions taken at the recent NEC meeting is that the UDC will celebrate its 10th anniversary with a cake-cutting ceremony on November 10 this year. Meanwhile, Mohwasa said the figure of BCP councillors who have complied with the September 26 deadline to choose between contesting under the UDC or BCP at the next general elections is eight. The demand was made by the UDC.
Four MPs who were expelled by the BCP will also contest under the UDC banner. He went on to explain that there are councillors who have requested an extension of the deadline, but the NEC is yet to decide on the request.
The BCP has maintained that it does not expect many councillors to positively respond to the UDC ultimatum. On Saturday, the UDC held a march against corruption, lack of judicial independence, and the looming rationalisation in parastatals which is likely to lead to massive job losses, escalating commodity prices, and high unemployment levels. The march was held in Tutume.