Galebotswe's faction returns to fight for BPF's soul
Tsaone Basimanebotlhe | Tuesday February 17, 2026 11:00
The infighting at BPF, which began last year after the controversial party congress, has escalated into a full-scale legal and political war. The congress, held in Serowe, sparked chaos after allegations of irregularities and the exclusion of certain factions. Some members, disillusioned by the process, boycotted the congress, whilst others rejected the legitimacy of those who participated and voted.
In the aftermath, the newly elected National Executive Committee (NEC), led by Lawrence Ookeditse, filed an urgent application to the court, seeking an interim order to prevent the opposing faction from recognising itself as the official NEC.
Modiri Lucas, spokesperson for the faction, stated in an interview: “We are returning to court today (Monday) as per the court’s order, to provide reasons why the interdiction should not be made final on our side.”
Respondents in this case are Gaolatlhe Galebotswe, Mogomotsi Letsididi, Segaetsho Garekwe, Modiri Lucas, Loeto Porati, Olebile Pilane, Queen Moatsotsi, Gareone Barel, and Gaolathe Molefane.
Applicants in this matter are Onneile Segwai, Dr Kolaatamo Malefho, Lawrence Ookeditse, and BPF.
Court papers filed before Lobatse High Court, late last year read: “An interim order is hereby issued interdicting and restraining respondents from holding themselves out as the NEC (interim or otherwise) and to discharge any official functions of the BPF pending the institution and finalisation of a declaratory application and or any other competent application to be filled seven days from the date of this order seeking to declare the Serowe elective congress and its electoral outcomes as lawful, valid, and enforceable.”
Furthermore, the NEC wanted an alternative pending an application to declare that the respondents are ineligible to hold themselves out as officials of the BPF and/or interim NEC.
They also wanted an interim order directing the respondents not to interfere, in any manner whatsoever, with the official work, duties, and functions of the NEC elected at the Serowe elective congress pending the outcome of the application.
They also wanted an interim order interdicting the respondents or any person purporting to act under the instructions of the interim NEC from using the letterhead of the BPF pending the finalisation of the application.
In that regard, they wanted the respondents to surrender the BPF letterhead to them with immediate effect. And also the court to stop unlawful fundraising activities in the name of the BPF and the NEC.
“It is not every member who can collect funds from the public or members using the name of the BPF; funds can only be collected by authorised personnel and as such, funds (every thebe) must be accounted for to ensure that there is transparency in party finances,” the court papers read.
The applicants further pointed out that according to the party’s constitution, for one to be party president, he or she must be a party member for a period of more than two years. However, the current leadership was granted an interim order as the respondents had failed to file the court papers.