Will Ngoma contest F-town mayorship?

OARABILE MOSIKARE
Correspondent | Tuesday December 18, 2007 00:00

 

If he tries to recapture the seat next month, it will be a battle between friends-turned-foes. The two have been very close until recently. They belong to the dominant Nkate-Merafhe axis in the ruling Botswana Democratic Party (BDP). The two once belonged to the Botswana Peoples' Party (BPP). Ngoma was expelled from BPP in the late 1990s while Billy left for the Botswana Alliance Movement (BAM). Lately, the ex-mayor is said to be preaching anti-Billy sentiments. It is alleged that Ngoma feels he would be reclaiming what is 'rightly' his. 'Billy is there because of him. Ngoma is a shrewd tactician and would use tried and tested divide and rule policy to win the race. Ngoma is of the opinion that Billy is not running the second city decisively,' said a BDP insider.

However, the nominated councillor denied eyeing the mayor's seat in next month's polls. Ngoma said he has not been approached by anyone to stand. 'The mayor is elected by councillors but they have not approached me in that regard,' he said angrily. Billy could not be reached for comment. But kicking him out as Francistown mayor might be difficult because he seems to be in the good books of Vice President Ian Khama.

'Khama was asking people if they knew Billy and they responded in the affirmative. They told the vice president that Billy was visible. Khama was very impressed by the positive response he got about Billy,' said a source.

Past immediate mayor Ignatius Moswaane told Mmegi that this time round, he is not going to stand. The former mayor asserted that he prefers continuation. Moreover, he says the 2008 primary elections are just around the corner and there is no need to contest the mayorship.

'I will channel my energy into the primary elections,' said Moswaane. He was Francistown mayor after the 2004 general elections until he was ousted by Billy. His two attempts to recapture the seat have failed.