Butale’s BRP dream

Despite the fact that Butale still has pending court cases with the BPF, he has moved on to form a new party, Botswana Republican Party (BRP). Having formed the BPF and led it to a massive three parliamentary seats, Butale believes he can repeat history with his new formation.

The difference is that this time around there is no patron, Ian Khama, whom it was mostly believed was the driving force behind the party’s impressive performance. Addressing his supporters in September, Butale acknowledged that many BPF members were formerly affiliated with the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) and had grown disgruntled. He recounted the party's early days in Serowe and his determination to remove the BDP from power as the leader of the BPF. He said seeing that the BPF was growing into a formidable side, many would become jealous and wanted his seat. According to him, despite some members suggesting his stepping aside, he refused, marking the beginning of internal tensions.