BCP sets 2019 primaries date
Ryder Gabathuse | Friday July 21, 2017 15:59
This follows an earlier recommendation by the party president, Dumelang Saleshando in his address to the conference last Sunday, that the delegates should focus only on the party’s 17 constituencies allocated by the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC), the four-party partners’ umbrella body. Saleshando was firm in his address that the constituencies to focus on are strictly Chobe, Ngami, Okavango, Maun East, Nata-Gweta, Francistown East, West, Nkange, Shashe West, Bobonong, Mmadinare, Selebi-Phikwe East, Selebi-Phikwe West, Sefhare-Ramokgonami, Palapye, Mahalapye West and Ramotswa.
As expected, the party has also resolved to reject the use of the electronic voting machines (EVM) in the 2019 general elections. Related electoral reforms were also rejected. The party has also resolved to carry out demonstrations in collaboration with its UDC partners during the ongoing court challenge over the use of the EVMs. In light of financial challenges dogging the opposition parties in particular, the BCP conference reiterated the need for political party funding by the state in an attempt to have the political ground levelled.
The conference held at Setlalekgosi Junior Secondary School resolved that all labour unions should be encouraged to work together to leverage on their strength for clear workers’ agenda and re-instatement of the Public Service Bargaining Council.
The party conference further resolved that the sale of state assets in what appears to be unmitigated corruption should be challenged by all means possible including demonstrations and legal means. The resolution follows heated debate on the proposed sale of Air Botswana after President Ian Khama had issued a directive for the national carrier to be sold to Wilderness Safari, a company in which he (Khama) has financial interest. The sale transaction was cancelled last minute.
The BCP was also worried at reports that government intends to sell Morupule B power plant in which billions of Pula have been invested into the construction of the plant.
The national conference resolved that the central committee of the party should pursue the Ombudsman, in the case of using and abusing state resources for the construction of the President Khama’s estate at Mosu. The BCP has apparently been considering legal options as the findings of the Ombudsman are not considered binding.
The conference resolved to endorse the decision by the central committee to solicit contributions towards the ‘Save Democracy Campaign’ through a trust account opened with Rahim Khan Attorneys and further authorised contribution through a short sms code.
The conference adopted the introduction of the Kgololo Group Funeral Scheme and mandated the central committee to explore means of publicising it among all party membership, including empowering the party youth to recruit members into the scheme. It was further resolved that the party should broaden its pool of international partners who share the same political ideals.
The conference further noted with concern the Botswana government’s eagerness to scuttle diplomatic relations with the Peoples Republic of Chin