When the councillors were earlier recruited from the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP), the deal was that they would not be challenged during primaries but contest the General Election unchallenged. Now, the BPF general membership demands that the deal be reneged upon, and the affected councillors contest for the primaries like all others.
“When we previously recruited councillors from other parties, people were excited about the move and how the party was growing. It is shocking that some members are complaining that the National Executive Committee (NEC) has exempted those members from primaries. That was part of the deal that they would not be challenged in the party primary elections. As NEC, we have simply fulfilled what was agreed upon by the previous NEC,” BPF secretary-general Lawrence Ookeditse said. He also said it is not true that structures were not consulted when decisions were made since they are the ones recruiting members for the party. The party SG said structures get involved at an early stage of recruitment and even deals made by the NEC, they do become part of them since the NEC is not the one dealing with constituency issues.
Furthermore, Ookeditse said some people were not there when such agreements were made but it does not mean that the party should reverse such decisions. He said members must be aware that such councillors could also take the party to court since the agreements had been written.
The party SG said it is unfortunate that some members do not want to be honest since they are eyeing the wards for those incumbents’ councillors while they know the truth about them. He dismissed reports that NEC was supposed to hold a meeting with affected structures in Serowe and Palapye areas. He added: “We have not received any notification inviting us to such a meeting. Maybe they are mistaken, they wanted to say branch or constituency structures not NEC.”
Meanwhile, a letter written by deputy SG, Neo Oagile, dated February 26, 2024 reads in part: “Following a written request by BPF councillors who had been promised that they would not be challenged in primary elections for the 2024 General Election as a condition for their running under the BPF name in 2019 or joining the BPF post the election, the NEC met to consider this request. The councillors that signed also undertook to withdraw from challenging for positions of Parliament and focus on the initial agreement. The NEC accepted this proposal from the councillors as it would mean fewer primary elections, costs and also that the party and the councillors each keep their word.” The letter further pointed out that the councillors as listed will not undergo primary elections for council wards and will also not stand for Parliament seats.
The listed councillors were expected to have paid their constitutionally mandated monthly subscriptions by the end of February as per the third extension to be confirmed as candidates. The affected councillors include Atamelang Thaga, Jeremiah Frenzel (conditional on outcome of UDC cooperation talks), Victor Mphee, Geoffrey Bolaane (did not express interest to contest), Gabaipone Malau, Thatayaone Kehitile, Gaotilwe Omphile, Ntshima Jimane, Dan Mogale, Kemoiponetse Kelathegile, Thata Gosalamang, George Makhura and Sam Kenalemang.
Moreover, Oagile said pursuant to this, the region, constituency and ward committees where the councillors are from are invited to meetings to brief them on this development, followed by meetings on the same day with general membership in their wards. However, the constituency, regions and wards leaders are expected to invite potential candidates who had expressed interest to contest these wards to also brief them. The letter states that a team of NEC members has been assigned to each of the wards and they will contact chairpersons and secretaries of the respective constituencies for the facilitation of these meetings urgently. However, the letter pointed out that councillors not on the list will go through the normal process of primary elections as that had not been a condition in their cases. Still, on the matter, the concerned members feel that the whole process is not fair as NEC wants to favour their friends so that they do not go through the primary process. A source revealed that they would not support the decision made by the NEC and they will take action on that.
“We will meet and map the way forward if the NEC does not want to listen to our matter. As concerned members, we cannot allow the NEC to dictate to us as to who is expected to contest and who isn’t. The BPF must know that it is possible for it to lose the general election in our areas of Serowe and Palapye constituencies. Why can’t we let members choose their representatives,” the source said.
