BCP stages fresh primaries in disputed Francistown West wards
Chakalisa Dube | Wednesday July 25, 2018 12:39
The development is likely to worsen tensions between the BCP and the Botswana People’s Party (BPP). The BPP is claiming ownership of the Francistown West constituency and five other wards.
Mmegi has established that BCP members have started strongly positioning themselves for the primaries in Monarch South, Tatitown and Botsalano. The BCP primaries are slated for August 18, 2018.
Francistown West constituency chairperson, Gilbert Makombo confirmed that the party would go on with plans to hold the ward primaries in the constituency as stated by Saleshando last week.
In Monarch South Tumelo Oduetse will face comedian and well-known Francistown MC, Batumi Ngube. Beard Maja and Gift Mogomotsi are said to have started campaigning with the BMD aggressively for primaries at Tatitown ward. Mercy Seemule and Odirile Gavu will face each other to decide the party’s 2019 general election candidate for Botsalano ward.
Thabo Nyambe and Reuben Kethoilwe are not challenged at Kanana and Moselewapula wards, respectively.
The BCP recently made it clear that it will not make a demand for any ward where it performed dismally in the last general elections and likewise will not be ceding any ward where it outperformed the combined UDC.
Saleshando was speaking in reference to wards in Francistown West that have caused a rift between BPP and BCP.
'This cooperation is not about the weak looking for an opportunity to get on the back of the strong and declaring themselves a new born giant. It is about the best partner in the grouping using their strength to make sure that UDC wins,' he said at the party’s Bobonong conference.
The UDC fared badly in Francistown West in the last general elections. The BPP maintained that it was given the Francistown West constituency unconditionally (including wards) by the Botswana Movement for Democracy (BMD) after the latter exchanged constituencies with BCP.
The BMD recently put its weight behind the version of the BPP. However, the BCP has maintained that it only exchanged the Francistown West constituency with BMD (in exchange of Maun West) with the exception of wards.