Parties agree on compromise candidates for Tshimoyapula

Tsaone Basimanebotlhe | Tuesday September 12, 2017 16:36

 

The four party members who had shown interest to contest for primaries are Lenthatile Keipheditse, Edson Ediragetse, Phatsimo Modoka and Katholo Tapolo. The quartet agreed on a compromise after their meeting held over the weekend in the absence of the Serowe North branch committee. According to a source, the members agreed that Tapolo should represent the party in this by-election, but will only challenge him when the primary election date is announced by the BDP for the 2019 general elections.

“The reason we had to agree on a compromise candidate is because the date for candidates nomination is nearer. Again the by-election date is also near and our fear was that we would come out from the primaries divided and the process for reconciliation also takes time. We don’t want to take any chance because this ward can be won by the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) if we are not united. The BDP stands a better chance if we are united,” a source said.

Serowe North branch chairperson, Baratiwa Matheothe said the branch committee cancelled the primary election date after the four candidates approached them, noting that they had agreed on one candidate.

“It is true there are some things that they agreed on, but I cannot share them with the media because the committee has to inform the party central committee first. We will no longer be having primaries. The party secretary general, Mpho Balopi will be coming to Tshimoyapula soon to discuss the dates for the launch and other issues,” Matheothe said.  He said the campaign has started and is going well as they had planned it. The UDC has also agreed on a compromise candidate and will be represented by Mdala Mdala.

The Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Slumber Tsogwane has issued a writ for the by-election. Nominations of candidates will be held on September 15 and elections will be held on October 7.