Internal problems besiege UDC, as 'candidates' edge on
Tsaone Basimanebotlhe | Thursday April 18, 2019 13:37
One of the problems the coalition is facing has to do with filling all vacant positions for aspirant Members of Parliament. Though it looks like time is not on their side, it is not clear when this matter will be resolved, and members are in the dark and grow agitated. Some are ‘illegally’ campaigning in the meantime though the matter is yet to be put to finality.
The UDC has filled almost all vacancies but two in constituencies that were held by Botswana Movement for Democracy.
However, there is still the question hanging on the two constituencies that are allocated to Botswana National Front (BNF), which is the affiliate of the UDC. The two constituencies that have unresolved problems include Lentsweletau/Mmopane and Letlhakeng/Lephephe.
Even though the Parliamentary candidates for these two constituencies are busy on the ground, seeking support from members, they are not yet certain. This is so because the BNF Central Committee has not yet made any ruling after some members appealed cases in which their electoral board had ordered re-runs for some constituencies.
Some candidates have also accused the electoral board of favouritism. “Some of the re-runs are unnecessary as they were motivated by malice. Some members of the electoral board wanted their favourite candidates to win. We are left with a few months before elections, but we are still uncertain about the conclusion of these re-runs,” said one candidate, who did not want to be named for fear of possible reprisal from the BNF.
For example in Lentsweletau/Mmopane Olebogeng Watshipi had appealed a decision in which the electoral board had ordered a rerun in wards like Mahetlwe, Hatsalatladi and Kopong East while at Letlhakeng/Lephephe the appeals board had ordered re-runs in Malwelwe ward, amongst others.
The aspirant candidate for Letlhakeng/Lephephe constituency, Onthatlhile Selatlho has appealed the decision. Watshipi had won the elections for Lentsweletau/Mmopane primary elections.
During the party’s primary elections, 887 people voted Watshipi and Mokgweetsi Kgosipula got 528 votes and then Kgosipula appealed the results in some wards.
In Letlhakeng/Lephephe constituency, 849 people voted for Selatlho while Lefty Ramotswai got 832 votes. “It is true there are appeals regarding the two constituencies and they will be resolved soon by the central committee. I cannot say much on these issues because they are internal,” the BNF secretary general, Moeti Mohwasa said.
“If there are complaints that some people are already campaigning, then we will deal with them when brought to us through proper procedures.”
According to a source, even though the issues have not yet been resolved, Watshipi and Selatlho are busy on the ground campaigning with their posters, circulating as they each perceive themselves as candidates for the areas.
Mmegi has learnt that the BNF has unveiled Moreetsi Gomang as the Parliamentary candidate for Gabane/Mmankgodi and also Orapeleng Kakoma for Lobatse constituency.
The Botswana Congress Party, which is also an affiliate to UDC, had unveiled its candidates in some of the constituencies that were recently allocated to it and that include Mogoditshane, which will be represented by Mozambia Dibe and Gaborone Central, which will be represented by Mpho Pheko.