Mzwinila supporters reject Molebatsi
Tsaone Basimanebotlhe | Friday August 30, 2019 14:33
Molebatst’s troubles emanate from the fact that it has since emerged that outgoing legislator Kefentse Mzwinila’s followers are yet to accept him as a candidate. This situation brings doubt as to whether the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) will retain the constituency that has been its stronghold for years.
Molebatsi confirmed the rift and stated that a member of the Central Committee, Ngaka Ngaka has been assigned to speak to the supporters of the two warring parties.
“The task team, which is led by Ngaka will convene a general meeting with supporters in order to re-unite them.
The truth is that we do need Mzwinila supporters in our campaigns for general elections. Some have accepted me as a BDP candidate while others did not. I do not have a problem with Mzwinila and that is why he was one of the speakers at my launch. The problem is some BDP members who are still hurt and angry. I am aware that some are writing untruthful things about me on social media,” Molebatsi said.
He said he had re-united with some councillors who had written to the party recently complaining about their poor working relationship.
For his part, Mzwinila said he was not aware that there were some members who were refusing or failing to cooperate with Molebatsi who were supporting him (Mzwinila).
“If there is an issue, the party will communicate with me through the proper channel. I do not think party issues are supposed to be dealt with them through the media. Yes, I am in good terms with Molebatsi and we have had a good launch,” Mzwinila. The reconciliation came after members of the central committee met with Molebatsi and his council candidates for the area last week.
Recently, both parties openly attacked each other on social media, leading to fears amongst members that if the misunderstanding was not quickly resolved, but instead left to escalate, it could cost the party in the coming elections.
The Central Committee members who had gone to reconcile candidates included Ngaka, Boyce Sebetlela and Simon Moabi.
On August 2, 2019 aspiring councillors wrote a letter to the party office asking for an intervention saying there was no peace amongst candidates.
Meanwhile, Molebatsi responded to other issues troubling the constituency.
On the issue of pledges that Molebatsi was accused to have made to some constituents, he said; “it is true there are some pledges that I did not fulfil, but I will do them. A pledge is not a debt; I have been in talks with those people. Again, there are lots of good things and pledges I have done for my constituents and people should also talk about them. Some people are just raising these issues to tarnish my name.”