BCP accuses UDC of failing Batswana
Tsaone Basimanebotlhe | Wednesday October 14, 2026 06:00
Equally, the opposition party blamed the coalition for worsening living conditions, high unemployment, and critical medicine shortages. Speaking at the launch of Joseph Bagwasi’s Sefhophe by-election campaign on Saturday, BCP leaders said the country was facing a troubling situation, with ordinary Batswana struggling to access healthcare and secure livelihoods.
The by-election, which will be held on October 17, follows the death of UDC councillor Christopher Motsholapheko.
Former BCP vice president, Taolo Lucas said medicine shortages had reached alarming levels, claiming that patients were being forced to share medication as the country’s healthcare challenges deepened.
“For the first time, we are experiencing a situation where people do share a pill. Shortage of medicines is serious, as people are dying. The UDC is making promises every day, but it has failed to fulfil them.
“Either they talk of a financial crisis, or they do not have a contract with people,” Lucas said.
He argued that the government had continued to make commitments without translating them into tangible improvements in people’s lives.
Moreover, Lucas criticised the government’s handling of the Ipelegeng programme, saying that although it had undergone a name change, it had failed to deliver on the promised P2,500 renumeration.
He suggested that the UDC’s inability to fulfil its commitments had further undermined public confidence, particularly amongst people who depend on government programmes for support.
Meanwhile, BCP president Dumelang Saleshando urged Sefhophe residents to use their votes to send a strong message to the UDC.
He noted the by-election presented an opportunity to express their dissatisfaction with the government’s performance.
“This is the time for you to show the UDC that you value your vote,” he said.
“We are experiencing a sad situation where Batswana are facing life difficulties, where now unemployment is high, farmers cannot sell their cattle for survival, amongst other things.”
Saleshando maintained that the prevailing economic and social challenges were unlike what Batswana had experienced before, pointing to unemployment and difficulties facing farmers as evidence of the country’s struggles.
The BCP leader also raised concerns over drugs shortages, alleging that the situation had worsened since the UDC assumed power.
“The situation of shortage of medicines is worse. Since UDC took over, there are so many graves of people due to the shortage,” he said.
For his part, Bagwasi appealed to Sefhophe voters to support his candidacy, pledging to advocate for improved internal roads and the completion of the unfinished clinic.
He said the issues were important to the community and required attention, although further details of his plans to address them were not provided.
“I have council experience, and there are things that I advocated for that residents can attest to.
“Our wards have problems with internal roads, and the clinic that we once requested for at Boseja ward is not complete,” Bagwasi sai.
Another speaker, Nehemiah Modubule, said it is time Batswana punish UDC for failing to deliver its promises.
“You have given them a chance, and it is clear that they were not ready to lead. Now, let’s give others a chance so that our lives could improve,” he added.