Already, there are murmurs of disgruntlement following the suspension of the interim president of the BPF, Biggie Butale last year amid allegations that he had sexually violated a female party activist among a slew of charges. Butale has, however, denied the allegations describing them as a political witch hunt. Butale’s protracted suspension has already caused some to conclude that his suspension was part of a well orchestrated conspiracy to discredit him with a view to later replace him as party president. The contest for the BPF presidency has already created factional fault lines within the party with some Butale sympathisers calling for his immediate reinstatement.
Also, the recent suspensions of some BPF cadres such as Vuyo Notha (deputy secretary-general), Botsalo Morotsi (Youth League secretary-general), Dineo Tumotumo (Central region chairperson) and Annah Maswikiti (Women’s League secretary for Labour Affairs), has intensified mayhem in the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) splinter party. The BPF came into existence following the toxic fallout of President Mokgweetsi Masisi and his predecessor Ian Khama on the eve of the 2019 General Election. Just like Butale, calls for the quartet’s reinstatement have intensified and also widened political rifts between the BPF factions. The BPF says it does not have factions but only cadres jostling for various positions on offer ahead of its maiden congress. While the BPF inaugural elective congress at first promised to be an explosive contest, some analysts say it will be a one-sided affair since Goya and his lobby list have the backing of seating BPF legislators and councillors. In addition to the support of the councillors and Member, of Parliament (MPs), Goya reportedly has the massive support of the BPF patron, former president Ian Khama.
