Allegations in the constituency are that all fingers are pointing at the BNF secretary-general, Ketlhalefile Motshegwa, who is accused of ‘colluding’ with the Alliance for Progressives (AP) operatives to sideline and frustrate direct UDC members already allocated the wards. According to UDC regulations, direct members are allocated 60% of the wards, with the remaining 40% for different contracted parties. However, the AP and the BNF are allegedly placing their members in the wards and encouraging them to run under the UDC banner, as seen in Molepolole South and Lentsweletau/Mmopane constituencies. In palapye, Motshegwa is also accused of holding secret meetings with his selected members. This is despite the UDC chairperson Motlatsi Molapise's ruling that direct members have equal rights to affiliates and are entitled to their 60% allocation. In Palapye, Molapise was forced to intervene after the BNF and the AP sought to secure a large share of the wards disregarding the ‘entitlement’ that Ramogapi has as an incumbent UDC MP. However, this is not just happening in Palapye only as it affects areas like Nkange amongst others. In an interview with the Palapye MP this week, he could not hide his frustrations. “We are very frustrated at the behaviour of the BNF SG, especially the way he is interfering in my constituency regarding ward allocations.
The UDC has clear guidelines on wards allocations but the the BNF SG is causing unnecessary instability in our constituency by influencing some BNF members to also contest when he knows the UDC arrangement extended to UDC MPs and others. In his secret meetings, Motshegwa claims that he was sent by the Central Committee (CC) to do so. Some BNF members are also not happy with his decisions and that is why they even record him in such meetings. It is clear he wants the UDC to lose some areas,” decried Ramogapi. He said the BNF is not alone in the dirty tricks as it has the backing of some of AP members who want to benefit through underhand tactics. Ramogapi was shocked that the BNF and the AP do not have structures in Palapye and all what is being done is to frustrate the UDC direct members who are contesting for council seats. Ramogapi has highlighted that as an incumbent MP of the area, he would not allow people to bring instability in his area by frustrating other members who are also UDC members. He said the BNF CC has allocated BNF seven wards in Palapye. “They know that when disputes arise, then the UDC will instruct the SG for other parties to resolve the matter while direct members do not have their SG. This is frustrating,” he said. He added that they have discovered that both the AP and the BNF want their members to vote for Gape Motswaledi of the Botswana Congress Party (BCP). He claims that Motswaledi might join the AP just after the election.
He also revealed that he (Motshegwa) was against the UDC successful attendance of the Palapye workshop, which he had influenced the AP and his faction members to boycott. According to June 5, 2024 declaration of candidates, the BNF wants the following wards; Mogome, Thomadithotse, Morupule, Khurumela and Mmaphula Central. Ramogapi also pointed out that despite the UDC chairperson’s ruling that direct membership is entitled to its 60% membership, the two parties still plot some people in those areas. Another UDC MP who did not want to be named also concurred in a recent telephonic interview: “Yes, I am aware of the conflict. The UDC national executive committee (NEC) took a decision to explain to other parties that direct members must get at least 60% of wards and other parties’ get 40% if practically possible. It looks like other parties just want to bully the direct members because time and time again they allocated themselves wards with no regard for direct members.” He said some even disrespect MPs as they continuously de-campaign them openly. He further said such members have created a toxic environment inside the UDC camp.
However, the MP said there is believe that some higher powers are behind it because time and time again there are letters coming from parties allocating their activists wards without regard for the MP and direct membership. For his part, Motshegwa when quizzed about issues raised by Ramogapi sounded dismissive. “I am aware of many more and I don’t have time for petty issues,” he chose to say. The UDC chairperson, Molapise emphasised that MP direct members are entitled to their 60% wards without negotiations and acknowledged that he is aware of complaints by some MPs. “I thought we have addressed them and if there is still an issue, then they should inform me. The UDC regulations must be respected by all parties. Those MPs should choose those that could help the UDC to win such wards,” he told Mmegi. The UDC chairperson said it would be unfortunate that some UDC leaders are accused of interfering with wards allocations for direct members. He, however, said the coalition would address any pending issues on wards allocations.
