BNF gives ultimatum to defaulting MPs and cllrs

EPHRAIM KEORENG
Staff Writer | Wednesday July 20, 2011 00:00

 

The party conference decided over the weekend that the intervention of wards and constituencies will be sought to deal with the defaulters before the deadline. The conference resolved that the party's primary elections' regulations should be reviewed and campaigns for the next general elections should start soon.

BNF president Duma Boko assured members that the party will not lose its soul in the quest for opposition cooperation for the general elections. He urged the BNF leadership to educate members on the umbrella model of cooperation adopted by the major opposition parties. Boko said that after the strike by civil servants, it has become apparent that the time for a fragmented and splintered opposition is over. 'Any opposition party that is still interested in engaging in politics like an independent warlord will be swept aside by the great movement of history; it will place itself on the brink of complete irrelevance,' he said.

After Boko's announcement that the party is in the process of raising P5 million to build its headquarters - Kopano House - it was decided that members should start making contributions for the project. Boko told the conference that they have decided that members with financial muscle will contribute P5,000 in five months. He said that some members, including an MP, have made their contributions. 'By Wednesday (today) I will be depositing my P5,000 into the fund,' he told the conference.

The conference has resolved that structures should be established within a month to facilitate the smooth running of the party. Members who use the media without authority to discuss party issues were warned that they will face the music.

The conference directed publicity secretary, Moeti Mohwasa to respond to all negative statements from the Office of the President. He was given the mandate to comment on the education crisis in Botswana, particularly its impact on students.

The conference resolved that the party should engage in demonstrations and protests against the abuse of the state media by the ruling party.

The party intends to consult other leaders to explore the possibility of taking government to court over the matter.

The conference determined that the youth league and the party leadership have differences and the two should meet to make peace.