Faction disputes legitimacy, Congress calls
Tsaone Basimanebotlhe | Tuesday March 24, 2026 09:53
Speaking at a press briefing held in Mahalapye on Saturday, ‘interim Secretary-General’ Segaetsho Garekwe emphasised that their group, which has not been elected by congress, should be seen strictly as an interim committee tasked with preparing for the upcoming elections.
“Our role as an interim committee is clear; we are here to organise and facilitate the elective congress,” Garekwe stated.
He further explained that the team’s tenure was originally scheduled to end in February of this year, but due to internal discord and infighting, the process was delayed. Therefore, the committee now faces an uncertain timeline, with no specific date set for the congress as yet.
'We have a lot of work to do to engage with our members and ensure all consultations are done properly before proceeding,” he said.
He also pointed out that, at present, they do not hold a formal mandate from the BPF membership. This, he said, is a direct result of the need for consultations surrounding the court's recent judgment, which must be addressed before the congress can take place.
“The constitution stipulates that we must give members at least three months' notice before the congress can be held,” Garekwe explained.
However, he reassured the public that the congress would indeed be held this year, though he refrained from specifying any particular month. He also said the other team, led by BPF ‘president’ Lawrence Ookeditse, does not power to organise or call for the congress. Despite the uncertainty, the interim committee stressed its legitimacy in overseeing the congress process. According to Garekwe, no other faction within the party currently holds the authority to call the congress.
“As things stand, we are the legitimate interim committee responsible for organising the congress,” he declared firmly.
Meanwhile, another team led by BPF ‘president', Lawrence Ookeditse, also held a press conference last weekend, stating that they are the legitimate National Executive Committee and they will hold the congress within three months after notifying other team members (Basireletsi ba Molao Motheo).
“We are going to look for an independent body which will help us to run the elections. Again, we will talk to them so that they ensure that elections are run free and fairly to avoid unnecessary disputes,' he said.
However, the delays and infighting have left many BPF members frustrated, but the interim committee remains steadfast in its resolve to restore order and move forward with the democratic process.