Moswaane, Tuelo relationship turns sour

Baboki Kayawe | Friday June 30, 2017 18:00

Tuelo’s close relationship with Moswaane became public in 2013 when the legislator launched the Monarch Community Development Centre (MCDC) branch in Francistown West.

It has now emerged that the two Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) activists no longer see eye-to-eye.

At the height of their friendship they were inseparable during political and social activities in Francistown West. Moswaane was considered Tuelo’s political master  and the latter the former’s protege.

Tuelo was appointed the administrator of the newly established MCDC office, which Moswaane said was meant to help youth access government products. Critics of the office said that it was being used to indirectly assist Moswaane campaign for the 2014 general election.

The MCDC was behind the petition, which resulted in the postponement of the Francistown West by-election in 2013.

The petitioners wanted the elections to be re-scheduled to allow Moswaane to be allowed to contest. Moswaane had been barred by court from contesting because of irregularities. Although it later emerged that the petition was fraudulent as it contained forged signatures, Tuelo launched a pure public relations strategy maintaining the contrary. Against all odds, Tuelo played his role with aplomb. He dominated newspaper headlines and made several radio interviews defending the petition.

Tuelo also led Moswaane’s campaigns at the 2014 general elections and he was subsequently rewarded with a nomination for a council seat at the Francistown City Council  (FCC) chambers by the latter.

Now, those closer to the two men have indicated that the relationship between the two (Moswaane and Tuelo) has been shaky for some time.

Insiders have alleged that Tuelo was no longer comfortable in the relationship (with Moswaane) because he believed that being affiliated to Moswaane does not give him an opportunity to independently make political decisions and those that border on his social life.

“One of the things that infuriated Tuelo is the fact that Moswaane initially told him (Tuelo) that they should back Vice President Mokgweetsi Masisi for the BDP chairpersonship position. Moswaane later changed his stance and said that he is backing Nonofo Molefhi. He wanted Zazambi to change as well but he refused saying that it is against principle,” alleged an insider.

In addition, Tuelo is said to have even rebuffed Moswaane’s plea that he (Tuelo) should vote for Peter Ngoma for the mayoral position at a BDP caucus. Instead Tuelo voted for Sylvia Muzila at the mayoral elections held last month. 

Tuelo is also said to have moved out of a house, which Moswaane rented for him in Francistown South. The house was also used as an office for the MCDC.

Although both Moswaane and Tuelo said that the office was established to help youth access government programmes like in Francistown West it has been speculated that the office was established to assist with Tuelo’s parliamentary bid in Francistown South.

Yesterday Tuelo said when contacted for comment, “ I love Moswaane like my father but the way we conduct our political and social affairs is different. We have not enjoyed the best of relationships in recent times because of varying political ideologies but I don’t want to go into detail on reasons why we differ”.

Tuelo said that his attempt to meet Moswaane in order for them to resolve their differences has failed to bear any fruits.

“I sent someone to arrange a meeting with Moswaane and they are yet to get back to me. I will press for a meeting with him because I am what I am because of him. There is need for us to resolve our differences and move on.” 

Tuelo also confirmed that he has moved from a house that was rented on his behalf by Moswaane, saying it had nothing to do with his poor relationship with the legislator. “It was in my plans that I should move out of the house even before I differed with Moswaane. I wanted to be independent.” 

It has also been alleged that Tuelo fell out with Moswaane because he felt that Moswaane misled him by encouraging him to contest the Francistown South constituency.

Tuelo recently confirmed that he has abandoned his plans to contest the BDP primaries in Francistown South. He however did not state his poor relationship with Moswaane as the reason for abandoning his parliamentary bid. Yesterday a furious Moswaane maintained that he does not have a problem with Tuelo.

“Zazambi (Tuelo) is a grown up man. He has to run his affairs. You do not have to write the story,” said Moswaane in a brief response.

Pressed further Moswaane insisted that Mmegi should not write the story because it is not newsworthy.