The concerned members believe that there is still room for factionalism, which is wreaking havoc in the party, to be handled better. Serowe North Member of Parliament, Baratiwa Mathoothe said on Wednesday that their differences can be addressed.
“We have to be focused on the ground and address the needs of Batswana. As a BPF MP, I believe our differences can be resolved and we cannot keep on fighting,” he said in an interview.
“There is no need for a new party as elections will be held next year. Party members will address those issues and we want peace as members.
It should be noted that fights are at national executive committee (NEC) not at lower structures.”
Mathoothe added the country cannot afford to have many political parties as that will cause vote splitting and thereby give the ruling Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) an advantage over the opposition.
He said the mandate of opposition parties is to improve the lives of Batswana and they could only do so if they win the elections, therefore, there is a need for them to be united.
He called on the members to remain calm and allow the party leadership to call for a congress where all issues would be addressed.
MP for Jwaneng/Mabutsane, Mephato Reatile shared similar sentiments saying they still have hope as legislators that all BPF internal differences would be addressed and things would be normal as before. “As a member, we should learn that we will always differ but our dispute must be dealt with amicably. We cannot keep on forming new parties when we have differences. Already we have a party, then what will the new one do that others would not do?” Reatile wondered.
There is no peace within the BPF with some members busy lobbying for formation of a splinter party. Recently, some members of the BPF led by former Member of Serowe West constituency, Tshekedi Khama, said they were planning to form a new party after president Biggie Butale suspended them. Of recent, Lobatse High Court Judge, Matlhogonolo Phuthego ruled in favour of Butale.
Butale alongside other national executive committee (NEC) members, being Reitumetse Aphiri and Ford Moiteela, brought an application on a certificate of urgency against Tshekedi, Vuyo Notha, Robert Mariba, Prince Bosilong, Ian Khama, Motswasele Kganetso, Dr Kolaatamo Malefho, James Kgalajwe, and Moiseraela Goya, listed as from first to ninth respondents
The Butale faction wanted the court to issue an order declaring Butale as the lawful president of the BPF and also declaring that the suspensions of Khama and other affected members on March 28, 2023, and confirmed at a meeting of the national executive committee held on April 05, 2023, was lawful and valid. Furthermore, the applicants wanted the High Court to issue an order declaring that any and all decisions purportedly taken by either and/or all of the respondents post their suspension were unlawful and thereby set aside.
For their part the other faction wanted an order directing Butale, Aphiri and Moiteela to be interdicted and/or restrained from purporting to be secretary-general, deputy secretary general, deputy treasurer and secretary for political education of the BPF.
All respondents were interdicted and or restrained from representing or purporting to represent the BPF in any form or manner without lawful authority by the National Executive Committee. The respondents in the matter were Tshekedi Khama, Vuyo Yane Notha, Robert Mariba, Prince Bosilong, Dr Seretse Khama Ian Khama, Motswasele Kganetso, Dr Kolaatamo Malefho, James Kgalajwe and Moiseraela Goya.
