BPF members pay for damages
Tsaone Basimanebotlhe | Monday September 15, 2025 12:43
The members, Ofentse Molibi and Lesego Keorapetse, have been ordered to compensate for the destruction of party property, including a ballot box and ballot papers, which were allegedly damaged as a result of a deliberate act of protest.
According to reports, the two members instigated a group of supporters to destroy the ballot materials amid claims of a potential rigging of the electoral process. At the heart of the controversy was Keorapetse, an aspirant for the BPF presidency, who feared the election would not be conducted fairly.
Following the incident, both individuals were summoned by the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) to explain their actions. During the meeting, they admitted to having played a central role in the chaos that unfolded during the congress.
“We acknowledged our mistake and took full responsibility,” said Keorapetse in an interview on Thursday. “The damaged ballot box cost P110, and the ballot papers were valued at P8,700. We have agreed to pay the full amount to avoid legal proceedings and, more importantly, to maintain unity and peace within the party.”
He further admitted that their actions had unintended consequences, noting that the congress had to be suspended due to the disorder caused. “Because of what we did, the congress could not continue. That was never the intention, and we regret that things turned out the way they did,” he added.
The BPF leadership has welcomed the members’ willingness to make amends but emphasised that disciplinary measures may still be considered.
Party president, Mephato Reatile in an interview on Thursday noted that while financial compensation is a step in the right direction, the integrity of the party’s democratic processes must always be upheld.
“It is true. The decision was taken by NEC after a report that was made by the electoral board. As a way of building peace within the party, we resolved that they pay the damages rather than taking the matter up. I understand the members had admitted the offence and agreed to pay,” he said.
The incident has sparked internal debate within the BPF about the conduct of party members during high-stakes political events and the need for stronger internal conflict resolution mechanisms.
As the party prepares for future congresses, the leadership has committed to reviewing procedures to prevent similar disruptions, while reaffirming its dedication to transparency, accountability, and unity among its ranks.
Despite the party's public projection of unity and progress, internal tensions are threatening to rip it apart. 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 the upcoming national congress,” a source said.
However, the source said the suspensions have added fuel to an already blazing fire, deepening suspicion and mistrust amongst the party's faithful.
Nonetheless, many within the party had viewed 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,”he said.
Reatile also revealed that certain individuals had deliberately discouraged members from attending the national conference for personal political agendas, labeling the 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. Meanwhile, some suspended members who took the party to court, had lost their urgent application on Thursday. The six members have vowed that they will not give up on the matter as they will file another application before court by following the due process and do what the court felt that they omitted.
“ We are not going to give up on this matter. We believe NEC is acting unlawfully,” Segaetsho Garekwe said in an interview after the court.
The suspended members are: Ditiro Kelebeile, Ookeditse Malesu, 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. 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.
However, party president Mephato Reatile in an interview with Mmegi on Thursday said; “we cannot stop those members from going to court but if they keep on doing that then we will take action against them as NEC.”