BPF NEC to take action against refractory members
Tsaone Basimanebotlhe | Tuesday June 20, 2023 06:00
He told The Monitor on Saturday that any party member who had supported or played a role in endorsing an independent candidate at the Palapye by-election for the Mmaphula ward contravened the decision taken by the NEC.
Some of the BPF members who were launching an independent candidate, Pelotlhomogi Ntebang over the weekend at Palapye include Phagenyane Phage, Moiseraela Goya, Botsalo Morotsi, Nnana Sedabadi, Goloswang Ramogala and Molaemang Nkganetsang.
“As the BPF, we have agreed that we will support the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) in this by-election. Therefore, we do not support that independent candidate alleged to be our member.
Our stand as a party is very clear. For those who are going against the party's decision, I hope the NEC will have to deal with the matter and take proper action. Every party has rules and regulations that bind every member,” Butale said.
He said no one is above the party and all members must respect party decisions. He said they are pleading with the BPF to ignore whatever some of the disgruntled members may try to lure them into voting for an independent candidate. The party president said they are having a by-election agreement with the UDC to support one another.
He, however, said the BPF members in the area are busy doing house-to-house campaigns to ensure that some members are not getting confused by those who are against the party.
He said most members understand what is happening and believe that the UDC will do well in the ward. Those who will be battling it out over the weekend include Andrew Phalalo of the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP), Gaolathe Kenosi for the Botswana Congress Party (BCP), Mompoloki Mohutsiwa for the UDC and Independent candidate Ntebang.
The post fell vacant after the death of the area councillor, Gagoope Sebina. Mmaphula ward has been in the hands of the BDP from independence to date and it is yet to be seen if BDP will retain the ward or not. Lately, the BDP has been losing most by-elections.