Fight for ward allocation intensifies at UDC
Tsaone Basimanebotlhe | Friday June 15, 2018 13:22
This became evident over the weekend at Palapye where the Botswana Congress Party (BCP) held primary elections in some wards that were allocated to the Botswana National Front (BNF).
The BCP, BNF, Botswana Movement for Democracy (BMD) and Botswana People’s Party (BPP) are UDC affiliates.
The BCP held its primary election in Palapye over the weekend.
Out of 10 wards, BNF has been allocated only two wards, Serorome East and Malekokopa ward, popularly known as BIUST. According to a source, the BCP contention is that they are the ones who are strong in those wards as they came second in 2014 after the ruling Botswana Democratic Party (BDP).
The other issue is that members complain that the party has structures and they had been working hard to win the area.
“The truth is that the UDC leadership, especially all parties’ presidents and secretary generals, do not want to listen to structures on the ground. We are the ones who are going to vote not them. This issue is very serious than what they think. Some party members have been using their resources to ensure that the BCP survives in those areas,” the source said.
BNF spokesperson Justin Hunyepa admitted that there was miscommunication amongst the BCP leadership and some structures at Palapye.
“It is true BNF was allocated two wards at Palapye. We understand the primary elections were held in those wards, but the issue has been resolved amicably. I cannot disclose some of the things because they are internal.
It was just a mistake. The two parties have talked,” Hunyepa said.
However, BCP secretary general, Phillip Monowe said he was not aware of the matter and the issue of ward allocation being handled by party vice president, Kesitegile Gobotswang.
“Maybe the issue was resolved by Gobotswang. I have not been briefed about the matter. We will receive the report about the primary elections this week,” he said.
For his part, Gobotswang said while the allocation of wards was ongoing, the parties issued writs of elections.
“It was resolved that these two wards be allocated to the BNF. The issue of deadlocks is not yet resolved,” Gobotswang said.