UDC has no plans to contest Serowe West
Tsaone Basimanebotlhe | Monday June 12, 2023 06:00
“There are only two scenarios that could emerge. We will either contest under the UDC or the BPF banner.
This will depend on whether the BPF membership of UDC is formalised by the time of nomination. We work with the BPF and there is no way we can contest against each other,” Mohwasa said in an interview on Thursday.
On the issue of negotiation talks with some of the parties willing to cooperate with it for the 2024 General Election, Mohwasa refused to shed light. He, however, said they would share information once they have concluded the process.
He preferred to say: “We would appreciate if we could be availed space and opportunity to undertake the process.” Mohwasa added that the UDC usually helps its affiliates to solve internal matters once it is invited, therefore, it believes that the BPF will be able to surmount the challenges that it is currently faced with. He said there is nothing on their part that shows that they cannot rectify their issues and in fact, they have not yet communicated anything to that effect. Mohwasa further stated that their relationship with the BPF is not going to be strained by misunderstandings or internal disputes.
The coalition spokesperson said problems within parties do get resolved. For his part, the BPF spokesperson Lawrence Ookeditse said: “Our cooperation with the UDC is stronger than before.
Currently, we are busy helping the UDC to win the Mmaphula ward in the Palapye constituency.
Then we will be working together again to retain the Serowe West constituency. Our internal differences are not derailing us from our objectives as the UDC. He said the BPF dispute is simply the failure to follow the primary election procedures which according to him, will be resolved amicably.
In addition, Ookeditse said their internal issues would not split the party and they hope that all concerned members would cooperate in all the by-elections.
The BPF national executive committee (NEC) has suspended its president Biggie Butale and deputy secretary-general, Reitumetse Aphiri from the party for 90 days with immediate effect. Butale and Aphiri are accused of having flouted the rules and regulations of the BPF primary elections.
On Monday, the BPF NEC wrote to Aphiri and Butale to appear before the committee for a reconciliation meeting in which they would state their proposal on the accusation they are facing. But Butale and Aphiri have given them the middle finger and instead they filed an urgent application before the High Court.