Chaos erupts among BPF ranks
Tsaone Basimanebotlhe | Monday September 8, 2025 15:58
Despite the party's public projection of unity and progress, internal tensions are threatening to rip it apart at the seams. Since its formation in 2019, the BPF has been plagued by internal conflicts. Initially, disputes were confined to NEC leadership circles, but now, that discord has spilled over into lower party structures, spreading like wildfire amongst ordinary members. The once-peripheral tensions are now squarely in the spotlight. This past weekend, the situation took an alarming turn during the party’s Youth and Women’s League congresses held in Molepolole. According to Mmegi's observations, what began as murmurs of discontent escalated into open threats against election officers. Some members, clearly dissatisfied with the way processes were being handled, vowed to resort to violence if their demands were not met. Although a few downplayed the threats, attributing them to intoxicated youth, the gravity of the situation became undeniable later in the evening.
A faction of angry youth members allegedly stormed the election venue, harassed officials, and even destroyed ballot boxes, accusing the party leadership of manipulating the outcome. These members reportedly insisted that the NEC's official guidelines not be followed during the elections. That demand alone created a standoff, resulting in the abrupt suspension and eventual cancellation of the elections as officers feared for their personal safety.
“Some insiders allege that the chaos was not spontaneous but rather a form of protest against what they claim is the NEC’s strategic suspension of certain members to block them from contesting in the upcoming national congress,” the source said.
However, the source said these suspensions have added fuel to an already blazing fire, deepening suspicion and mistrust amongst the party faithful.
Another source said as of now, it remains unclear whether the Youth and Women’s League congresses will be rescheduled before or after the November NEC elections. Nonetheless, many within the party view the weekend’s turmoil as a troubling preview of what may unfold during the party congress in Serowe Village.
Party president Mephato Reatile did not mince words during the Molepolole conference. Addressing delegates, he expressed grave concern over the worsening state of party discipline. “I am concerned about party indiscipline, which is clearly growing,” he said. “It is we, the members, who can either build or destroy our party. We cannot hope to attract new members if we continue with this path.”
Reatile also revealed that certain individuals had deliberately discouraged members from attending the national conference for personal political agendas, labeling this behaviour as “serious indiscipline.”He acknowledged that some constituencies had not turned up for the conference but denied receiving any official petitions to that effect. When questioned about the quorum, Reatile maintained that registered constituencies were present in sufficient numbers, which justified the continuation of the event.
He also noted that elective congresses typically draw more members than ordinary conferences. Amidst the upheaval, six suspended members of the party have now taken legal action. On Tuesday, they appeared before the Gaborone High Court, seeking urgent relief to overturn their suspension. The urgency of their case stems from their intention to contest for NEC positions at the upcoming congress, a goal now threatened by their 90-day suspension.
The suspended members are: Ditiro Kelebeile, Ookeditse Maalesu, Segaetsho Gaarekwe, Thaka Baboneng, Loeto Porati and Barulaganye Kgosana.
Their suspension was immediately and was announced in a letter dated August 21, 2025, and signed by the party’s secretary-general, Lawrence Ookeditse. The letter accused the members of encouraging insurrection within the party, defying NEC decisions, and publicly criticising fellow members outside the confines of the party’s constitutional structures. The suspension bars the individuals from attending BPF meetings, representing the party in the media, or using its branding until disciplinary proceedings are concluded. While the court has yet to rule on the matter, the suspended members argue that the timing of their punishment appears calculated to sideline them from the NEC race. If the suspension is not lifted, they would be ineligible to contest, effectively eliminating potential rivals to the current leadership.
The development has sparked accusations of political witchhunts within the BPF, raising eyebrows both inside and outside the party. Some view the suspensions as an abuse of internal disciplinary mechanisms to consolidate power ahead of the crucial November congress.
As the congress date looms closer, tensions continue to mount, and uncertainty hangs over the future of the BPF. The events in Molepolole have exposed deep-seated fractures and suggest that the party leadership faces an uphill battle to restore credibility, unity, and order before heading to Serowe. Unless swift and transparent resolutions are implemented, the BPF may find itself heading into the November congress more divided than ever, and that could have lasting consequences for its political future.