Currently, there are two factions within the BPF, one led by former president Ian Khama’s family and the other one led by former Tati East Member of Parliament, Samson Moyo Guma. The two factions are fighting for the control of the party. Even though the Khama family is in self-imposed exile, it is still running the affairs of the BPF, a matter the Guma faction is against. The team’s view is that members should be taking party decisions instead of taking instructions from the Khama family. But some members believe that the party has made it so far due to the Khama factor, therefore the family cannot be kicked out of its ‘own’ party.
In an interview, Serowe North Member of Parliament (MP), Baratiwa Mathoothe said: “It is true negotiations for reconciliation have started this month. This involves NEC members and suspended members. The problem within the BPF is at the NEC level but not the lower party structures and all the parties have admitted that. Currently, all the BPF activities are on hold to allow the reconciliation process to go on smoothly. The negotiations are led by four people whom we cannot disclose until the reconciliation process is over.” He said one of the conditions that the parties have agreed on is to protect those who are handling their issues in order to bring peace among the leadership. Mathoothe also said even the BPF legislators are not allowed to convene party meetings or anything that might disturb the ongoing process.
