BDP receives boost ahead of Matante East by-election
Chakalisa Dube | Friday April 8, 2016 15:56
She recently contested the party primaries, which were won by Uyapo Nyeku.
Cracks begun to emerge as Mazebedi and her supporters heavily disputed the primary election outcomes.
They accused BMD deputy president, Wynter Mmolotsi of having a big hand in Nyeku’s victory, a development they perceived to be unethical.
In addition they felt Nyeku’s handlers associated to Mmolotsi allocated party resources to his campaign, which gave him an edge over the other competitors at the primaries.
“I will write an application letter seeking to join the BDP on Saturday. I have been waiting for the BMD leadership to clarify my membership status since they have indicated through the media that I am not their member while my position is the contrary.
“None of them have spoken to me so I have to move on. The BDP is the ideal choice because the Botswana Congress Party (BCP) is already working with BMD through the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC),” she said.
Should Mazebedi’s wish to join the BDP comes to pass, it will mean that the BDP has now welcomed three key figures in the Phillip Matante East just two weeks ahead of the much-anticipated by-elections.
The 2014 general elections losing independent candidates at Phillip Matante ward, Chingobe Modikwa and Bonnye Kgosiemang who challenged for the polls under the Marx Engels, Lenin and Stalin (MELS) banner last week joined the ruling party.
Initially Modikwa said that he would contest the by-elections as a solo candidate but later pulled out of the race due to poor preparations.
Recently, the UDC secretary general who is also the BMD deputy president, indicated that Mazebedi was no longer part of the BMD since she was said to be working with the BDP in preparation for the by-election.
“From the information we have got she has been working with the BDP members in the ward during campaigns for the by-election.
As soon as she started working with the BDP members she automatically terminated her membership with the BMD.
She is not our member,” Mmolotsi said recently.
BDP Francistown South branch secretary, Ford Moiteela recently said that Mazebedi is welcome at the BDP.
“Mazebedi is an experienced politician and can be an asset to any political party,” said Moiteela.