BNF to meet over councillor disputes
Tsaone Basimanebotlhe | Monday February 16, 2026 09:57
The controversy surrounds allegations that some councillors are not adhering to the party's caucus decisions, a claim that has raised concerns within the party. According to the party constitution, the party caucus is binding, and an action can be taken against a member if he or she goes against the caucus.
However, council chairperson Gofaone Nkwane has dismissed these allegations, though he acknowledged that the constituency committee will step in to address several issues affecting both the councillors and the broader BNF members in the area.
Nkwane, in an interview with Mmegi on Wednesday, firmly rejected claims that certain BNF councillors were intentionally defying party decisions or attempting to create divisions within the council. 'I know that some individuals are deliberately spreading misinformation with the aim of dividing us as Goodhope councillors,' he said. He clarified that the constituency committee, along with leadership from the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC), would investigate the root causes of these tensions and work towards resolving them. 'I am confident that these issues will be addressed in due course,' Nkwane assured.
In addition to these remarks, Nkwane expressed frustration over the public airing of internal disputes on social media, emphasising that accusations of defying party policies should not be spread recklessly. He criticised those using social media platforms to further the narrative of discord. 'It is wrong for individuals to publicly accuse others of defying the party caucus and spread these claims on social media,' he said. Despite his openness regarding the general situation, Nkwane made it clear that some of the details surrounding the disputes are confidential. As such, he declined to provide further specifics, stating that these matters would be better addressed within the party’s internal structures. 'There are issues that I cannot discuss with the media at this point, as they are internal matters that the party will work on resolving,' he explained. An insider within the party said some of the councillors want an action to be taken against those councillors who defy the caucus or try to sabotage government programmes.
There are further allegations that some councillors are being accused of corruption practices, something other councillors want the party leadership to intervene in. This was also rubbished by the council chairperson, but rather refused to comment on the matter. The Goodhope council, which comprises 24 councillors, is currently experiencing a mix of political affiliations. Seven of these councillors are from the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP), while the remaining members belong to the ruling party. This blend of political ideologies has, at times, sparked tensions, particularly as disagreements within the council and the broader party landscape continue to emerge. The party’s leadership now faces the challenge of restoring unity within the Goodhope council, which has experienced increasing strain over recent months.
However, the BNF leadership, alongside the UDC, remains committed to addressing the underlying issues and ensuring that any conflicts are handled internally. While the party is determined to resolve these matters, the public nature of the disputes, especially through social media, has made the situation more challenging.
The BNF’s efforts to curb further division depend heavily on the ability of its councillors to keep their disagreements within the party’s frameworks for resolution. It is clear that these tensions are not just about individual councillors but are also symptomatic of larger political dynamics within the constituency.
With 17 BNF councillors in the council compared to just seven from the BDP, the ruling party holds significant influence. Nevertheless, the ability of these councillors to work collaboratively will likely determine the future trajectory of the Goodhope constituency and the effectiveness of the party in addressing its internal issues.
As the meeting scheduled for Sunday approaches, all eyes will be on how the BNF leadership tackles these issues. The outcome could have far-reaching implications for party unity, and the resolution of these internal divisions will set a crucial precedent for how the BNF handles similar conflicts in the future. Whether this gathering can bring about a resolution or if tensions will escalate further remains uncertain, but for now, the focus is on restoring harmony and ensuring that the council remains focused on serving the interests of the Goodhope community.
Quizzed about the developments in the BNF an affilliate of the UDC, executive secretary (UDC), Dr Patrick Molutsi told Mmegi this week it was not true that he was going to Goodhope to quell internal flghts.
'I am going for our normal constituency committee meeting on Sunday. This is happening across the country in preparation for the forthcoming leadership forum,' explained Molutsi.