BNF Ravings Preempt Opposition Unity

LEKOPANYE MOOKETSI
Correspondent | Monday July 26, 2010 00:00

Several speakers dismissed BMD as 'BM Domkrag', claiming that the party's policies will not be different from those of the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP).  BMD members broke away from the BDP.

The BNF officials said some of the people who formed BMD used to defend President Ian Khama.

The BNF members who attacked other opposition parties and Modubule were not brought to order by the party leadership during the rally.  During question time, one lady wondered how BNF was going to work with other opposition parties when it was attacking them.

BNF member, James Mathokgwane, addressed the rally describing Modubule as a wolf in a sheep's skin.  By the look of things, Mathokgwane who used to be close to Modubule, will never forgive him for joining the BMD.  In anger, Mathokgwane threw away one of the t-shirts that Modubule used for his campaign last year.  He said Modubule campaigned in BNF colours. 

However, he said, he was not surprised because Modubule has always been skipping from one political party to the other.Elmon Tafa, who has just been pardoned after he was expelled, took issue with the fact that Modubule has joined BMD while another former BNF member, Lebohang Letsie, went to the Botswana Congress Party (BCP).

It was Tafa who said Modubule has gone astray by joining 'BM Domkrag'.  To him, the BMD policies are going to be similar to those of the BDP.  Tafa said a true politician does not change colours.  'I feel Modubule could still be convinced to come back,' he said.

For his part, the newly elected BNF secretary general, Akanyang Magama, tried to do the damage control.  He said the intention of the rally was to revive the BNF.  'We are going to accept all our old members who have been expelled.  We are also going to work with the old committee,' said Magama.

He said they did not call the rally to attack Modubule.  'We should respect Modubule's decision even if we don't agree with him.  We should not waste too much time attacking him,' he warned.  Magama said Modubule has a democratic right to join any party of his choice.  Magama said he also has doubts about some BMD policies.  However, he said, fighting amongst opposition parties will not take Batswana anywhere. 

BNF president, Duma Boko, spoke about his vision for the party.  He said they want to take the party to the people.  Boko said BNF members should also have a say in the running of the party.  He said it is high time that the BNF should take its place as the government in-waiting.  He said the BNF will take power in 2014.