Mpho BalopiThe Gaborone North legislator’s fate was long sealed after his alleged fall out with his leader, President Mokgweetsi Masisi. Balopi was relegated from his Cabinet post to the back bench. Balopi who was the party secretary-general at the time of fallout decided not to defend his position at the party elective congress in 2022. He also chose not to contest the party’s primary elections, making it clear that he is not interested in coming back to Parliament after serving just one term.
Eric MolaleConsidered one of the most experienced legislators of the 12th Parliament, the MP for the Goodhope/Mabule constituency, Molale will not be coming back to Parliament after choosing to retire. He has served two terms, first as specially elected MP in 2014 and then through an election passage in 2019. Before being an MP, Molale served as the Permanent Secretary to the President for 11 years. He also has an illustrious public service career spanning 33 years.
Thapelo MatshekaThe former Minister of Finance recently announced that he will not be contesting the 2024 General Election. The Lobatse legislator served one term but decided it was time to quit following his troubles with the Directorate of Intelligence and Security (DIS) following his dramatic arrest in 2022.
He spent five days behind bars. Matsheka has said this “will forever remain a blemish and a clear sign of leadership and institutional failure” in reference to the treatment he received from his own government. He is currently engaged in a legal battle, demanding damages from the government for humiliation and reputational damage he claims to have suffered at the hands of the State organ.
Pono MoatlhodiAfter much speculation surrounding his political future, Moatlhodi eventually decided that he would not stand for this year’s elections. Speculation is rife that the 12th Parliament, National Assembly Deputy Speaker has set his eyes on the Speakership. He is in his third term as a legislator. He was first elected to Parliament in 2004. He would serve two consecutive terms under the BDP before he was defeated by Thapelo Olopeng at the then controversy ridden BDP primaries to book candidacy at the 2014 General Election. He then quit the ruling party after the 2014 General Election and joined the Botswana National Front (BNF), an affiliate of the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC). He was later elected as an MP for the opposition in October 2019 but defected to the BDP a year later.
Oabile RegoengOne of the losers of the recent BDP primary elections, the Molepolole North legislator is likely not going to make it back to Parliament after just one term in the House. He is still awaiting the outcome of an election appeal but the odds are stacked against him as reports indicate that there are only three constituencies that are likely to be given a rerun and his is not mentioned anywhere near. His constituents believe that Regoeng had neglected the area and was lacking in Parliament debates and hardly bringing forth the struggles of residents of Molepolole.
Talita MonnakgotlaThe Kgalagadi North legislator lost her primary elections, sealing her fate. Unless she makes a comeback through the back door of Specially Elected MP, she will have to wait another five more years if she harbours any plans to come back to the House. Monnakgotla serves as the Assistant Minister of Local Government and Rural Development.
As one of the fewer women during the just-ended Parliament seating, it would not be surprising though if the President gives her another chance should the BDP win elections. Masisi has been trying to improve women representation by appointing them to higher positions across different government departments since taking over the reins. Molebatsi MolebatsiThe Assistant Minister of Agriculture has had a devastating end to his term in Parliament. He endured an ugly fight for Mmadinare constituency with the Minister of Lands and Water Affairs, Kefentse Mzwinila. He lost his appeal, and his only hope may be through the SEMP dispensation.
Welheminah MakwinjaJust like Serame, Makwinja lost the recent BDP primaries but has since appealed. The Assistant Minister of Education and Skills Development has a thing for re-runs after defeating former Cabinet minister, Vincent Seretse, during an election re-run in 2019 in the party’s primary elections. Makwinja is surely banking on the possibility of a re-run for her to contest the General Election.
Buti BillyAnother election primary election loser, Billy, was looking to come back to Parliament for a third term. The Francistown East legislator had also appealed the election result but allegedly withdrew deciding it was time to leave the stage. Billy is also the Assistant Minister of Youth, Gender, Sport and Culture.
Kgotla AutlwetseHe is the current Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, having been appointed to the position in 2019 by President Mokgweetsi Masisi. He has served two terms in Parliament. Throughout his term as the Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Autlwetse has been embroiled in battles with Bagammanwato leader, Ian Khama over bogosi in the area.
Machana ShamukuniShamukuni is among the Cabinet ministers who might not return in the next Parliament after losing the primary elections. As one of the loyalists, the Minister of Justice will hope his party wins the elections to stand a chance to be retained on SEMP dispensation.
Sam BrooksThe Kgalagadi South legislator lost his chance of returning to Parliament during the party’s primary elections. As a back bencher during this past Parliament, it is unlikely that he would be retained in other dispensation in the next parliament. He can only wait for 2029.
