Three-way battle ensues in Selebi-Phikwe West :: Mmegi Online

Following the Botswana Democratic Party’s (BDP) Beauty Manake primaries win over the weekend and with the Botswana Congress Party (BCP) determined to remove its expelled legislator Dithapelo Keorapetse, an interesting battle has ensued in Selebi-Phikwe West, the former mining town which is now known as a hotbed of opposition politics, writes Mmegi Staffer SPIRA TLHANKANE

Keorapetse’s tough terrain ahead

Keorapetse, who is currently an ordinary Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) member without any political home, will see competition from Manake and Reuben Kaizer of the BCP. Keorapetse was seen as a usurper and traitor by members of the BCP when he assumed the position of the Leader of Opposition (LoO) in Parliament from the BCP president, Dumelang Saleshando. Selebi-Phikwe West is traditionally a BCP stronghold and it has been under the BCP since Gilson Saleshando wrestled it from the BDP in 2009. When the senior Saleshando retired, Keorapetse took over the constituency and managed to retain it for the BCP in 2014.

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