Women’s League exposes BNF cracks ahead of congress
Tsaone Basimanebotlhe | Monday May 5, 2025 06:00


At the polls held at Letlhakane Senior Secondary School, it became increasingly evident that the ongoing campaigns for Central Committee (CC) leadership positions have caused divisions trickling down into the party’s lower structures.
Aspiring CC candidates were seen aligning themselves with factions they believe support them ahead of the party’s elective congress slated for July.
Presently, the party appears split between two camps: Moeti Mohwasa/David Modise and Ketlhalefile Motshegwa/Nelson Ramaotwana. Modise and Motshegwa are competing for the position of secretary-general (SG), while Ramaotwana and Mohwasa are set to face off for the vice presidency.
Over the weekend, the rifts became even more apparent, as members openly displayed their loyalties to their differing factions. Tension was palpable even within the Women’s League itself, where relations were so strained that some members were reportedly not speaking to each other.
Friction amongst Cabinet ministers vying for party positions appeared even more intense, adding to the overall atmosphere of discord.
The congress also laid bare the leadership’s failure to provide clear direction, further deepening uncertainty within the party ranks.
However, the team, which is allegedly supported by Motshegwa/Ramaotwana, was accused of being favoured by the party office, while those who are alleged to be supported by Mohwasa/Modise were accused of using money to buy delegates and using State resources.
The dispute allegedly escalated even to the party WhatsApp group, where some members exchanged bitter words regarding the congress. It also became evident that the party leadership, especially the CC, did not give direction on how the WL congress would run.
There were many complaints which members wanted to clarify from the CC, especially whether to stop the congress or not, but they had no answers.
Moreover, Mmegi has learnt that the CC has not been meeting recently, hence the confusion which led to a chaotic and disorganised congress. The disorganisation emanated from the deadline of registration of delegates, which was done on the day of arrival, as it proceeded to Sunday.
As if things were not enough, some delegates, who had travelled from across the country, were left stranded without food and accommodation. The previous WL, which was supposed to take care of logistics, was instead locked in several meetings, desperately attempting to salvage the congress.
The elections, which were marred by controversy, eventually commenced at 11pm, instead of 4pm, leaving members in shock and frustration. The BNF administration also pointed fingers at the WL for the failure to produce a voters’ roll, whilst the WL, in turn, blamed the party administration.
At the congress, it was also alleged that Motshegwa had at some point sent a message to the national elections officer instructing that the congress be cancelled, something that angered other members.
For those who are not in Motshegwa’s team, they started to accuse him of trying to favour the other team. When contacted for a comment, Motshegwa instead referred all questions to the WL, which was then dissolved, going to the elective congress. The issue of dissolution of the congress was confirmed by all teams, and later, they got a shock when it was announced that elections were continuing, when some delegates had left.
The BNF National Election Board chairperson, Chabuya Lowani, said he could not comment on party internal matters.
“Regarding the issue you are talking about, it is best that you talk to Motshegwa. The congress was not stopped because I was instructed, but we stopped because of many complaints that we were receiving, and we had to address those members, as some had escalated those matters to other party leadership members.
“As the National Elections Board, we were very independent and we did not want to compromise the election process,” he said.
Lowani further said some members within the party should not try to bring the national elections board into their disputes, as it runs elections independently and gets verified delegates from the secretariat.
Lowani said their work was to ensure that elections run smoothly, and they address the team leaders before going to the congress. He said they had names of delegates verified by the regions and secretariat, which makes or forms voters roll.
“There is no way elections can run without a voter’s roll. It’s only that it was not printed because the election board received verified names late,” he said.