Mbulawa fancies Maun West chances despite odds
Boniface Keakabetse | Thursday May 8, 2014 10:48
In his quest to upset Batawana paramount chief Tawana Moremi II, Mbulawa said he is confident that he will pull a surprise win in the 2014 elections.
Mbulawa will be pitted against Moremi in the general elections under the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) banner, and George Lubinda of Botswana Congress Party (BCP).
Moremi, who defected from the BDP to the Botswana Movement for Democracy (BMD) was recently launched as the UDC candidate in the constituency.
BMD is a partner in an election pact with Botswana National Front (BNF) and Botswana People’s Party (BPP) making up the UDC.
Mbulawa said it was always his intention to stand for elections in the constituency, adding that he would have still challenged Moremi even if he had not jumped ship.
He told Mmegi that the majority who have registered to cast their votes in the constituency are his supporters.
“We control more than 60 percent of registered voters. Moremi is none existent in the constituency. His campaign is lukewarm,” he said.
Mbulawa slammed the previous BDP leadership in the constituency for the problems besetting the people.
He said his ambition, once voted in, will be to advocate for a permanent solution to the persistent Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) outbreaks, which impoverished some farmers.
Mbulawa said his plan will entail advocating for community farms to act as a buffer between the livestock and wildlife areas.
He said the community has to be brought in on coming up with solutions to control FMD.
“There is only one solution to control FMD outbreak. We have to come up with a permanent solution to stop buffaloes and cattle contact,” he said.
Mbulawa said the communal farmers would engage in agro-tourism farming and the proceeds from them will be used to both develop the communities and maintain the buffalo fence.
Mbulawa further quashed sentiments that campaigning in the constituency has been tainted by sabotage and tribalism.
Following Moremi’s launch, Gilson Saleshando of BCP addressed a rally in Boyei in which he claimed that campaigning has taken a tribalistic tone.
Saleshando accused Batawana of fuelling tribalism saying they have vowed not to vote for Mbulawa of BDP just because is not a Motawana.
“They say this year they are not voting for the party but for their Kgosi,” Saleshando said.
He also accused Moremi of despising Bayei. Moremi has since refuted Saleshando’s accusations describing them as political tricks to win votes.
Meanwhile, Mbulawa also refuted the claims saying BDP followers are behind him and will vote for him in the elections.
He also declined to comment on allegations that he took part in the recently publicised saga in which his cousin was allegedly assaulted by Moremi.
“That case involved my cousin and him and I have nothing to do with it. It does not affect me,” he said.
During his launch, Moremi said the case was under investigation at Maun Police Station describing it as politically motivated.
Moremi also vowed not to rest and ensure that those behind it face the law. The issue has now become a hotly talked about issue at political rallies here.