Democrats defy BDP call for compromise in Palapye
Chakalisa Dube | Thursday December 8, 2016 17:16
Instead at least four democrats have thrown their hats in the race, meaning the party will now go for the primaries to select its contender for the by-election.
This week, Mmegi learnt that initially five democrats were interested in the primaries, but Agnes Elias, decided to pull out at the 11th hour.
The four remaining candidates are Thabo Dineku, Boitshoko Khanea, Malebogo Orapeleng and Mopati Kwadiba.
More than a week ago BDP secretary general Botsalo Ntuane was in the ward where he urged members of the party to consider settling for a compromise candidate.
Ntuane’s position was backed by the fact that the party has fared well in all the by-elections in which it has not conducted primaries since the 2014 general elections.
Recently, when addressing BDP members in Francistown Ntuane added that the aftermath of primaries is usually characterised by infighting, which usually disadvantages the party in either by-elections or general polls.
For the Palapye by-election, the BDP supremo warned that if the party chose to go for primaries, infighting could resurface again, which would work against the party’s push for victory.
BDP Palapye branch secretary, Boipuso Rasekopo confirmed that four names have been mentioned for the party primaries.
“I received their expression of interest letters yesterday (Wednesday evening). The party will begin a vetting process next week,” Rasekopo said.
Rasekopo said that the party’s mission is to hold the primaries as soon as possible in order to have enough time to prepare for the by-election.
The by-election comes after the death of the Boikago/Madiba councillor, Gobonetse Richie Kenosi who died early last month. Kenosi was also a BDP member.
The Botswana Congress Party (BCP) has fielded Area Gabathusi, who was the party candidate in the 2014 general elections. The Umbrella for Democratic Change will support the BCP in the by-election.