Domkrag’s Lesedi Phuthego, who in 2019 polls missed the constituency with just under 400 votes margin, could pull a surprise win if the BPF does not get their house in order. The BPF, with only a week left before nominations for members of Parliament finds itself at pains to either announce a candidate or a date for re-run of primaries if there would be any. Mmegi has learnt that while there are issues also concerning council seats in the two other Serowe constituencies, of great worry is the Serowe South constituency where party members are at each other’s throats over who is to represent their party. The party regional leaders and members are without answers as the electoral board led by Iphemele Kgokgothwane is yet to provide direction. The Bagammngwato capital is made up of three constituencies, namely, Serowe South, Serowe North and Serowe West, which parliamentary seats were all occupied by the BPF.
The party made history in the 2019 General Election winning all the seats without holding primary elections. The victory, backed by their patron and Kgosikgolo Ian Khama, has sparked massive interest as all the parliamentary seats have opponents. While incumbents in North and West, Baratiwa Mathoothe and Onalepelo Kedikilwe were declared winners, no winner has been declared in Serowe South as the party primaries were marred by controversies. The current MP, Leepetswe Lesedi, was challenged by former Permanent Secretary, Dr Kolaatamo Malefho and Prince Moitoi. The highly-attended primary elections held in July were marred by rigging allegations, leading to delays in announcing some of the results. Mmegi has learnt that in the Motetshwane Ward in the Serowe North constituency, while there were 601 voters on the roll, the total number of votes for council candidates was more than 800. The votes for the parliamentary candidate were, however, not tampered with. Final results for the Serowe North parliamentary candidate were released in the morning while those for Serowe West and Serowe South were delayed. It would come to the fore that in Malatswai, counting was not done and boxes had to be brought to the main counting centre at Mmualefhe Primary School in Serowe. This was after members stormed the polling station at night and broke down a door.
Five of the eight polling stations had submitted their results with no explanation for other delays. The results were however, later reconciled and Kedikilwe was declared the winner. A shocker would soon emerge as some people from Serowe South arrived at the centre with damning allegations about the conduct of the elections. They alleged election malpractice in most Serowe South wards, especially Manonnye Primary School where it was said some 'fake' ballot papers were discovered in the vicinity. Segaetsho Garekwe, who was the principal returning officer for all three constituencies, confirmed that they received some reports and materials alleged to have been fraudulently produced from some areas. He said, the delays in the release of results for some areas was due to difficulty reconciling ballots and voters’ rolls. He added that they would investigate what could have transpired before a decision can be made on the way forward with a possibility of a re-run in some areas. To date, the BPF leadership is yet to finalise the matter, which has already been to courts. Lesedi took the matter to court after a re-run was called.
He argued that reasons ought to be given for calling a re-run with all the candidates. The electoral board reportedly met on Monday and is yet to share its recommendations. Mmegi has since learnt that tensions have escalated between the candidates and their members with two of the candidates reportedly actively campaigning despite having been told to stop. “We are just here confused, wondering why this matter is dragging for so long when nomination is next week. It would seem like there is some infiltration looking at how people are doing as they please with no action taken. This is likely going to leave us divided like the Dikoloti-Serame debacle at the BDP,” a concerned party elder shared. Contacted for a comment, BPF chairperson, Carter Morupise, said though they are worried it took long to resolve the matter, they are confident that their electoral board would conclude the matter soon. In 2019, Lesedi of the BPF got 4, 653 votes, Phuthego of the BDP got 4, 273 votes, Moremi Mareka of the UDC got 2, 362 votes, Kgokgothwane of AP got 393 votes, Prince Moitoi of BMD got 234, Ian Khumo, an Independent candidate, got 247 votes while another independent candidate, Oteng Thankane, managed 33 votes.
Whoever will represent the BPF will be against the BDP’s Phuthego, the UDC’s Mareka and BCP’s Gerald Mpe. The trio have already had an opportunity to tell Serowe South voters about their candidacy and promises through popular Radio Botswana debates while the BPF was not represented. The BPF will, however, hope that the return of their patron, Khama, would enhance their chances of retaining the constituency against the BDP. The BDP has embarked on a massive campaign to neutralise the BPF in Serowe. Besides visits by President Mokgweetsi Masisi in the area, the party campaign teams are visible. The BDP merchandise is also widespread amongst members though some of them claiming to be BPF members are enjoying the free merchandise.
