AP wants UDC to punish BNF dissidents

Tsaone Basimanebotlhe | Tuesday June 18, 2024 08:37

This forum took place on Saturday, and its resolutions were subsequently presented at the UDC meeting, held at the same venue on Sunday. Key issues on the agenda included complaints about the activities in the Molepolole South and Lentsweletau/Mmopane constituencies. The AP is urging the BNF to take disciplinary action against its members involved in these disputes. The AP's arguments centre around the disruption caused by dissident BNF members who claim to represent the UDC, thus leading to confusion among the UDC members and the general public.

This confusion is particularly problematic because the AP has been designated to contest Molepolole South on behalf of the UDC. As a result, the parallel campaigns are undermining the UDC's strategy and confusing the electorate. These individuals are allegedly interfering with the AP's campaign efforts. Consequently, the AP is calling for the BNF to publicly distance itself from these individuals. “This move is aimed at maintaining clarity and unity within the UDC alliance. Additionally, by addressing this issue, the AP hopes to ensure a more coherent and effective campaign strategy moving forward,” a source within the party revealed.

The AP also requested that the UDC create a list of its candidates in various areas to help people distinguish the legitimate candidates from those illegally using the UDC slogan. According to a source, the AP asked the BNF to issue formal warning letters to those members and, if they do not desist from using the UDC slogan, legal action must be taken against them by the UDC. Furthermore, the AP requested that the matter be treated as urgent, as those members are causing significant damage on the ground. Mmegi has learned that the UDC has since agreed to the proposals brought by the AP.

One of the resolutions taken was that the UDC leaders should not be seen to be supporting such behaviour or alleged dissidents. When contacted for comment, the BNF secretary-general, Ketlhalefile Motshegwa said:: “We have released a list of BNF candidates and it is clear that we are not contesting at Molepolole South and Lentsweletau/Mmopane as they are under the AP. The reason why we had issued out the list of our candidates was to settle the issue.” However, Motshegwa could not come out clearly on whether the party will write or take action against such members.

In another development, a letter dated May 21, 2024, from the UDC secretary for Molepolole South, Obakeng Mabutha said the BNF’s Dr Tlamelo Mmatli is steadfast and has even made campaign materials in the form of T-shirts, flyers, cards bearing his picture and categorically indicating that he is standing for the Member of Parliament (MP) position in Molepolole South under the UDC ticket.

Mabutha also revealed that Mmatli has a campaign team that has started to traverse the constituency clad in UDC regalia and furthermore, he has also lined up some BNF members to contest for council positions against the UDC selected aspiring council candidates. The constituency UDC secretary said there is volcanic situation in the constituency, which is likely to erupt between the two groups belonging to the AP and the UDC candidate, Shima Monageng, and Mmatli, as they are likely to clash during the campaign.

The political landscape in Molepolole South has been fraught with tensions since the area was allocated to the AP. This discontent stems from the AP's perceived lack of activity and organisational presence in the region, especially following their performance in the 2019 General Election. BNF members feel that the AP's minimal engagement and the absence of established structures in Molepolole South undermine their claim to the area. Moreover, internal disagreements within the AP, including opposition to certain candidates like Monageng, have further complicated the situation, contributing to the ongoing unrest. Meanwhile, getting a comment from AP was not successful as they kept on claiming that they will make a statement on the matter since Sunday.