BNF/BMD relationship not so kosher
Tsaone Basimanebotlhe | Thursday July 23, 2015 12:37
Different constituencies were giving reports on challenges and achievements during and after the 2014 general elections at the BNF conference that was held at Goodhope during the president’s Holidays. While many did not seem to have problems with partners in the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC), two constituencies alerted the BNF conference to difficult working relations with BMD.
Ramotswa constituency, which BMD had fielded one of the most vocal cadres Roger Mphafe as parliamentary candidate, was among those with issues prior to the 2014 general elections. “Matters came to a head over the dispute over Sepitswana ward, which was eventually contested by BNF under Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC). This came about after a primary election was called a month before elections though we had long called for it to break the impasse,” reported the Ramotswa constituency. Their report said if the dispute had been resolved much earlier as anticipated then UDC would have won the ward. It is alleged that BMD activists were using the bus allocated to UDC for factional battles as witnessed in their regional youth congress in Otse.
“Furthermore, it is evident that prior to elections some activist mainly from BMD were sabotaging the parliamentary candidate and instead offering their support for the independent candidate,” it said.
The BNF constituency chairperson Itumeleng Fight asked the central committee to continue efforts to bridge the divide between the BNF and BMD in that constituency. “We urge the leadership to seek clarity regarding the manner in which wards and constituencies will be allocated to avoid possible disputes over wards and constituencies going to 2019. We also urge the party that where possible disputes exist they be resolved quickly,” he said.
The Mochudi West constituency also requested the party leadership to intervene to resolve disputes between the BNF and BMD. Gaborone Central constituency said their structures in that area are dead. The Youth League, Women’s League, ward committees and cell committee are non-existent. Acting chairperson of Gaborone Central Naledi Akambakamba said their efforts to call party members for meetings did not bear fruit, as members do not attend meetings. “We are of the view that youth league should assist in erecting youth structures in Gaborone Central,” the report said.