Merafhe faces BDP front in Mahalapye

RYDER GABATHUSE
Staff Writer | Thursday August 21, 2008 00:00

 

The move is reportedly geared at building a formidable challenge against Vice President and incumbent area MP, Mompati Merafhe, 10 days before the 30 August Botswana Democratic Party primaries.

Speaking yesterday, Malaakgosi confirmed: 'I have tendered a letter of withdrawal of my candidature after careful consideration and my party colleagues have prevailed over me and Bolele to do so.'

'I now support Bolele in his challenge of the VP in the Mahalapye West constituency. This is for party unity and ultimately for national unity,' he said.

Malaakgosi and Bolele did not want to split the votes in their challenge against Merafhe. It is the first time since the first primaries in 1994 that the BDP heavyweight will face a combined effort of candidates bidding to oust him.

In the 2004 BDP primary elections, Merafhe overcame opposition from Elvidge Mhlauli with ease.

Malaakgosi's withdrawal letter reads in part: 'I hereby withdraw my candidature for the Mahalapye West constituency. I have arrived at this conclusion after serious stock-taking and reflection of the prevailing political circumstances in my constituency as well as having consulted my party colleagues and other stakeholders.'

Malaakgosi, a former Mahalapye District Commissioner, is ranked third behind Merafhe and Bolele in terms of popularity in the area.

'I will continue to be an active BDP activist and I will continue serving in the party structures and any other assignments that I will be given in this regard,' he added.
Quizzed about his political 'joint venture' with Malaakgosi, Bolele simply said: 'It's true.'

We would not be drawn further into discussing the issue, insisting that the party will issue an official press statement.

All indications are that the two BDP factions that have been officially declared to have disbanded are now united in their 'war' against the incumbent in the Mahalapye West constituency.

The two BDP traditional factions are known as Nkate-Merafhe and Kedikilwe-Kwelagobe. Mmegi is privy to information that at the Tuesday meeting that apparently culminated in Malaakgosi's withdrawal to 'boost' Bolele's candidature, both factions were 'agreeable' on the move.

The move was fashioned so that the withdrawal should fall within the 10 days before the actual primaries.

BDP deputy executive secretary, Fidelis Molao, confirmed yesterday that the party had received Malaakgosi's letter of withdrawal from the race. 'He has tendered a letter of withdrawal from the race and the move is apparently a voluntary one as he has officially tendered his reasons for opting out,' Molao said.

He emphasised that he did not read anything else into the withdrawal and added:

'Malaakgosi knows better. I am not aware that he could have joined forces with Bolele's lobby group'.

The withdrawal of Malaakgosi is not considered a substantial threat by the Merafhe team.