BPF dispute frustrates Kgalagadi South candidate
Tsaone Basimanebotlhe | Sunday November 9, 2025 12:46
Both factions within the party, one led by Lawrence Ookeditse and the other by Mephato Reatile, each claim legitimacy as the true leadership of the party. The division has left Sebatlanyane unsure about how to proceed with his campaign as both factions fight over control of the party.
The leadership dispute centres around the results of the recent BPF congress held in Serowe. Team Ookeditse maintains that they were legitimately elected at the congress and have followed the proper procedures, thus they are the rightful leaders of the party.
On the other hand, Team Reatile disputes this, arguing that the congress was dissolved by their faction, thus rendering the election of Ookeditse’s team invalid. As a result, two competing groups are now claiming to be the legitimate leadership, creating confusion and instability within the party.
For Sebatlanyane, this ongoing uncertainty has become a significant obstacle in his campaign for the Kgalagadi South seat. In an interview on Wednesday, he expressed his frustration, noting that he is unsure whether he will be officially launched as the party’s candidate due to the leadership crisis.
“For now, I am concentrating on my campaigns in the area because I am not sure if I will be launched or not. This is really affecting my campaigns badly since I cannot get the support from the party as I am supposed to get,” Sebatlanyane explained.
He went on to state that the lack of clarity regarding the party’s leadership is making it difficult for him to move forward with his plans, as he is unable to rely on the support of the party apparatus. Sebatlanyane further emphasised the urgency of resolving the leadership issue, stating that no campaign activities should proceed until the leadership dispute is settled.
'I strongly feel the launch should not be done until the leadership matter is resolved,' he said, underlining that without a unified leadership, he cannot properly organise events or effectively communicate with voters.
His concern is not only about the logistical aspects of his campaign but also about being drawn into the internal party conflict. “I do not want to be implicated in the issue or suffer the consequences after the matter has been resolved,” he said, indicating his desire to stay focused on his constituency without being entangled in the party’s ongoing struggle for power.
Despite the leadership chaos, both factions are asserting their intention to support Sebatlanyane and help organise his campaign launch. Ogaufi Nthobelang, a spokesperson for Team Ookeditse, stated that they would move forward with arranging Sebatlanyane’s launch as the newly elected leadership of the party.
“As the newly elected leadership, we will be in touch with the BPF candidate and arrange his launch. He must not listen to leaders who are not duly elected,” Nthobelang said, making it clear that they view their faction as the legitimate one and intend to move forward with their plans regardless of the dispute.
On the other side, Modiri Lucas, the spokesperson for Team Reatile, also indicated that they are preparing to support Sebatlanyane, with plans also to organise his campaign launch in the coming days. “We are busy organising members to go and help the candidate. I am in talks with the candidate on how we can help,” Lucas said, confirming that team Reatile is also gearing up to assist Sebatlanyane in launching his campaign.
He said they have earmarked Sunday or Monday next week for the event, further adding to the confusion as both factions claim to be the ones backing Sebatlanyane’s candidacy. This division between the factions has left Sebatlanyane in an increasingly difficult position, unsure of who to trust or align with.
However, the lack of a clear direction from the party's leadership is causing delays in his campaign activities and preventing him from fully mobilising support. As the election date draws closer, Sebatlanyane faces the challenge of trying to maintain his focus and credibility while navigating the political instability within the BPF.
The leadership dispute within the BPF has serious implications not only for Sebatlanyane but also for the party as a whole. With two competing factions each claiming to be the rightful leadership, the party risks losing credibility among its supporters and potentially weakening its electoral chances.