Reatile: peacemaker turned usurper :: Mmegi Online

Jwaneng-Mabutsane legislator Mephato Reatile was appointed as the vice president (VP) of the Botswana Patriotic Front (BPF) on May 12, 2023 and it only took him 24 days to convene an ‘unlawful’ national executive committee (NEC) meeting which suspended party president Biggie Butale on June 5, 2023.

Although the suspension was stayed by the High Court four days later, there are reports that Butale’s downfall had long been planned the moment Reatile took up the VP position.

It is said that Reatile’s sudden takeover as ‘acting president’ last week Monday was meant to clear the way for BPF patron Ian Khama. Former president Khama has made it clear that he wants to take over the presidency of the BPF, a party he helped form on the eve of the 2019 General Election. The BPF has since last year been going through a phase of political instability.

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