Bontshetse to quit politics after BNF suit
Tsaone Basimanebotlhe | Wednesday September 3, 2014 16:32
After being recalled recently, Bontshetse was suspended on Monday, with the party saying the former candidate continued to speak to the media, which is reportedly in violation of the party’s processes.
Yesterday, Bontshetse told Mmegi that his attorney was brushing up the paperwork to challenge the BNF’s recall.
“I am taking BNF to court on the matter of principle,” he said.
“I believe the BNF did not negotiate with me in good faith because they had been pushing me to the extent of de-campaigning me in the area.”
“I have found out that politics is a dirty game and I do not belong to either the BNF or any other party, because I believe in principles.”
From holding the party’s ticket in Tonota, Bontshetse fell out of favour with the BNF in April, when the incumbent legislator, Pono Moatlhodi, defected from the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP).
The BNF is part of the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) together with the Botswana Movement for Democracy and the Botswana People’s Party.
The UDC ruled out a primary election and spent months in unclear consultations, during which pro-Bontshetse and pro-Moatlhodi camps formed and locked horns.
“I never had a problem in paving way for Moatlhodi but what I asked for was compensation for T-shirts, other campaign materials and money that I spent,” he told Mmegi.
“I do not believe Moatlhodi can win the constituency from the BDP. The BNF is now divided in the constituency because my supporters will not vote for Moatlhodi.
“It is not true that Moatlhodi is popular or recognised like some Gaborone people are saying. Tonota is a BDP stronghold and for one to win it, one needs the sympathy of BDP people, which I have enjoyed.
“Again one needs to be strong to win the area.”
However the former candidate refuted widely circulating reports from the constituency that the BDP had funded him to foment divisions within the opposition.
“I have never been a BDP member but I have friends in the BDP,” he said.
Bontshetse said the UDC would also be disadvantaged by the fact that its former candidate, Michael Mzwinila, was also standing in the race as an independent candidate. Mzwinila dumped the UDC ticket before any primaries.
“I was their most suitable candidate because I had the support of the youth and the football teams.”
Apart from Mzwinila, UDC candidate Moatlhodi will battle it out with the BDP’s Thapelo Olopeng and the BCP’s Themba Joina.