‘Reatile, Ookeditse deal was gentleman’s agreement’
Tsaone Basimanebotlhe | Friday March 20, 2026 12:18
After a chaotic elective congress in Serowe last year, the then-warring parties put their differences aside a few weeks after, but now the ink of the deal continues to splash all over the party. The deal was facilitated by their mutual attorney, Kago Mokotedi, following the political impasse of the BPF after their elective congress Now continue to widen as those who stood with Reatile, initially led by Gaolathe Galebotswe, are challenging the legality of it as they believe it was a gentleman’s agreement. While the statement was intended to ease internal strife, it has instead triggered further contention within party ranks.
Inside Ookeditse, Reatile’s agreement
Reatile then revealed that he concurred with the decision and believed it was done in the best interest of the organisation. He said he was stepping aside from leadership and pave way for Ookeditse.
“Reatile maintains that the Serowe elective congress was marred by constitutional irregularities that potentially compromised its integrity. However, in the interest of progress, peace and unity, Reatile hereby resigns as the president of BPF and paves the way for Ookeditse to assume the presidency of the BPF in line with the Serowe congress,” the statement read. Furthermore, the statement says Reatile continues being a member in good standing of the BPF, and all suspensions and/or lobby hereby stand revoked, cancelled and set aside with immediate effect. The statement says in an endeavour to promote unity, reconciliation and reintegration, Ookeditse shall, in consultation with Reatile and his team, cause the appointment of patriots to the following structures and/or roles within the BPF, directorate of the elections, the disciplinary and appeal board.
It is again said as part of promoting unity and reconciliation, Ookeditse and the BPF hereby agree to waive their entitlement and/or rights on the legal costs awarded to the BPF against Segaetsho Garekwe associated with the high court case before Justice Tshosa.
Again, it was agreed that Garekwe should not pay costs for all court cases. Furthermore, the statement says Ookeditse should also include some of Mephato’s interim team members within the BPF NEC. Currently, there is a dispute over who is the legitimate leader of the party.