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BNF meets concerned group

 

 

 

 

B

otswana National Front (BNF) leadership and the party's disgruntled group calling itself 'Temporary Concerned Group' will meet on

Saturday to iron out their differences. The BNF publicity and information secretary Moeti Mohwasa confirmed the meeting, saying they are prepared to listen to their members' concerns.

The meeting follows one the group had in Morwa last weekend, after which a letter was written to the party leadership proposing opening debate around the party's participation in the umbrella project. The group, which seems to be spearheaded by well-known academics and veterans, is said to be concerned that unless BNF cuts its losses now and pulls out of the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) it could be headed for trouble and perform badly in the coming general elections.

Mohwasa explained that there is nothing wrong for members to form a pressure group and meet or discuss certain issues with the party leadership. 'The party constitution only allows a temporary group not a faction. But immediately after being listened to it then it has to disband. If the group continues after it is heard then it will be another issue,' he said. He said the temporary group can even ask the central committee to meet party structures to explain their issues of concern and it should be done internally.  In the letter, on Monday, the concerned group stated that they want the BNF to talk to affiliates of the UDC, that the BNF symbol should be used in the coming general elections instead of the recently registered one.  The UDC affiliates include the BNF, the Botswana People's Party (BPP) and the Botswana Movement for Democracy (BMD). The group would also rather have UDC use a disc with all party emblems. Failing which the three opposition partners can revert to their own symbols in the coming elections.

The disgruntled members feel it is too late for the UDC symbol to be used and therefore the BNF one is the only alternative because it is a brand that is well known across the country.

They are also asking the BNF leadership that if their suggestions are not taken into consideration then it should call for a special congress to deliberate on these matters.  Mohwasa refuted allegations that the group's intention is to topple BNF president Duma Boko, who is also UDC president. The group's insistence on using the BNF symbol for the UDC partners may not be acceptable to other partners. Last week, BMD chairperson Nehemiah Modubule told Mmegi that it is not going to be possible that one party symbol can be used. That suggestion, he said, would need to be re-tabled before the UDC structures and cannot be discussed only at leadership levels.  Mmegi has established that if the BNF symbol is to be used then the model of UDC will have to be changed. Only nine months are left before the general elections and the UDC is still grappling with unresolved issues, which observers feel are likely to cost it in the general elections. The UDC secretary general, and BMD president, Gomolemo Motswaledi clarified that the reason why they registered the temporary symbol was because BNF has pending cases in court.

He said if the BNF cases are going to be listened to quickly then they will apply for amendment of the new symbol.

Mmegi is informed that some affiliates of the UDC are likely to be uncomfortable with what the BNF might request because they will also have to consult their members on the matter.