The Botswana National Front (BNF) has resolved that members who air the party’s dirty laundry in public will face the full wrath of the party.
This was one of the resolutions taken by the weekend party congress, which also ushered in the party’s long awaited new leadership.
Briefing the media on the just ended elective congress, re-elected information and publicity secretary, Justin Hunyepa said the congress did not make any resolution with regards to the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) and other opposition parties.
He stated that the party’s position has always been clear that they work hard to ensure the UDC attains state power in 2024. Hunyepa said they would be ensuring good behaviour of members on social media by disciplining those who speak ill of the party or its leadership.
This follows a heated contest between the Team (Duma) Boko and Team (Dr Baatlhodi) Molatlhegi that saw unprecedented mudslinging on Facebook by members of the two camps.
“The congress resolved to instruct lower structures such as wards, constituencies and regions to take disciplinary action against members who discuss internal party matters in social media and or media in general,” he said.
“The delegates were concerned that there is a lot of party issues that are taken to social media platforms and media houses. Some of the issues tarnish the name of the organisation hence the structures were instructed to now take action because we have a code of discipline and procedures. The structures have power to instill discipline within the organisation.”
In an attempt to perform better in UDC constituencies allocated to the BNF, Hunyepa said the central committee was advised to engage regions and call for ideas on reviewing primary elections regulations. He also said there were number of issues raised with regard to primary elections hence the new resolution.
“This should be done as soon as possible in preparation for 2024 general elections. And another resolution is that the party will honour fallen heroes and heroines by naming the party’s regions after them. Members raised a concern that the regions do not have proper names,” he said.
Hunyepa added the party had also resolved to condemn ritual killings that have been happening recently in the country. He said they also adopted the BNF funeral scheme with suggested amendments thereto. The party has come up with the funeral scheme to help members with social benefits.
The BNF will continue to condemn continued colonisation of the people of the republic of Western Sahara by Morocco and stand with the oppressed masses and their struggle for political and self-determination. He said the ambassador from Western Sahara attended the BNF congress and made a presentation.
Meanwhile, Hunyepa also lamented poor women participation in the party. While the party once had a woman vice president in Same Bathobakae, this time around only Joyce Medupe who was unopposed made it to the party leadership as secretary for Economic Affairs.
“We had a few women contesting and only one won. This is worrisome and we continue to make efforts to improve the situation. We have shown that we can do better as we have youth league led by a woman,” Hunyepa said.
“There were also many women here and we will continue to encourage them to contest and also vote for one another. We will also look into suggestions like reserving certain positions for them.”