If he tries to recapture the seat next month, it will be a battle between friends-turned-foes. The two have been very close until recently. They belong to the dominant Nkate-Merafhe axis in the ruling Botswana Democratic Party (BDP). The two once belonged to the Botswana Peoples' Party (BPP). Ngoma was expelled from BPP in the late 1990s while Billy left for the Botswana Alliance Movement (BAM). Lately, the ex-mayor is said to be preaching anti-Billy sentiments. It is alleged that Ngoma feels he would be reclaiming what is 'rightly' his. "Billy is there because of him. Ngoma is a shrewd tactician and would use tried and tested divide and rule policy to win the race. Ngoma is of the opinion that Billy is not running the second city decisively," said a BDP insider.
However, the nominated councillor denied eyeing the mayor's seat in next month's polls. Ngoma said he has not been approached by anyone to stand. "The mayor is elected by councillors but they have not approached me in that regard," he said angrily. Billy could not be reached for comment. But kicking him out as Francistown mayor might be difficult because he seems to be in the good books of Vice President Ian Khama.
