The Patriot on Sunday | www.thepatriot.co.bw | May 16, 2021 News 1 KGAFELA II, AN UNWANTED MAN IN SA - PAGE 3 | MAHALAPYE RIVER A DEATH TRAP - PAGE 3 | BOFEPUSU WARNS MASISI - PAGE 5 STOP COVID-19 WEAR A MASK! www.thepatriot.co.bw MAY 16, 2021 | ISSUE 424 P12.50 Khama ‘UDC, BDP are lost’ lures Tshekedi out, -Motshwarakgole Molefhi • They are in to BPF crisis because Guma in they have • Denies offering • ‘I am ready to lead BPF and serve in next NEC’ - Guma abandoned him party • Hostile Butale ouster can fuel factions - Analyst their roots presidency • ‘Starting campaigns for a non-existent political office is malicious and toxic’ -Analyst • ‘I cannot talk • Ideological politics now’ - leaders Molefhi frustrated • It will be a in favour of huge upgrade experimental from Butale politics -Analyst Motshwarakgole politics. Taking a swipe at the BDP, Motshwarakgole expressed regret STAFF WRITERS that the ruling party has been [email protected] hijacked by new comers, thereby sidelining the die hard supporters eteran trade unionist, who sacrificed a lot and fought for Johnson Motshwarakgole the party over the years. “There V of National Amalgamated are people who have been groomed Local and Central Government, inside the BDP many of them are and Parastatal Workers Union in the [political] wilderness because (alias manual workers union) they have been sidelined,” said has warned the ruling Botswana Motshwarakgole. Democratic Party (BDP) and Prominent BDP politicians who opposition coalition, the Umbrella have been groomed for leadership for Democratic Change (UDC) that but have now been cast aside over Molefhi they face a crisis of leadership if they the years include former Executive do not revive their structures and Secretary and Member of Parliament, PHILLIMON MMESO Guma Moyo Tshekedi Khama embrace the old guard. Botsalo Ntuane, former youth wing [email protected] The warning marks the first public member Thabo Autlwetse and criticism of President Mokgweetsi BAKANG TIRO next NEC in any capacity,” said the 2024 general elections. “Tshekedi aspiring presidential candidates for former youth wing Chairperson, Masisi since the 2019 General ormer President and [email protected] optimistic Guma, who added that the has been long approached to lead the a position that has not been declared Bontsi Monare. Out of frustration, Elections when Motshwarakgole patron of opposition BPF is solidifying its base well in Tati party but he is not interested at all. vacant by BPF. “This would indicate a another rising young politician openly flirted with the BDP leader F Botswana Patriotic Front otswana Patriotic Front East, a constituency he is eyeing for For him to be appointed as Secretary premeditated and deliberate attempt Lawrence Ookeditse dumped the following a fallout between UDC (BPF) Ian Khama is said to (BPF) is headed for a power 2024 general elections adding that he General was to prepare him to lead to boot out Biggie Butale from the BDP to join its offspring Botswana President Duma Boko and trade have not given up on recruiting B struggle as the party’s two respects its current MP Dr Douglas the party. Even today he remains party. A disciplinary process has Patriotic Front (BPF) while Loius union federation BOFEPUSU former cabinet minister influential members, Tshekedi Letsholathebe of the BDP. undecided on whether to run for the not been conducted in which the Sibanda, who was once on the leadership. Motshwarakgole’s Nonofho Molefhi to his party. Khama and Guma Moyo are lobbied “Also as it’s in our culture, we presidency or not. He prefers to be a principles of the natural justice apply. frontline of mainstream BDP politics comments come at a time when The move to reignite the by different camps to replace the respect leadership and do not want low key politician,’’ said a source. Butale should not be condemned has been dormant. major rifts are emerging within recruitment of Molefhi was embattled party president, Biggie to do anything that will undermine With Tshekedi reluctant to be next unheard, and the process must be In the 2019 general election, the BDP and the UDC. The labour also motivated by the recent Butale who is being purged. elected leaders both at Parliament BPF president, the BPF NEC is said fair; impartial, objective and based Motshwarakgole showered Masisi movement is commemorating alleged sex scandal involving Maverick politician and ex- ruling and council. But, otherwise the to be eyeing Guma. on evidence. The presumption of with praises saying unlike his 10 years of the April 2011 public BPF President Biggie Butale who Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) constituency is stable and I am ready Also, those in the know said innocence until proven guilty apply predecessor, he tends to be a good sector wage strike, while the BDP is has since been slapped with 30 chairman Samson Moyo Guma has to snatch it. I respect so very much former cabinet minister, Nonofo in his case. Why should the people listener. His u-turn now comes as expected to hold a low key congress days suspension. Khama is said indicated that he is ready to take the current MP. We are brothers,” Molefhi is under the BPF radar to like Moyo Guma purport to be a surprise because he has been a amid Covid-19 restrictions later this to have confided to his close charge if party members persuade said Guma. BPF Secretary General join the party and preferably be the interested in an office that has not staunch supporter of Masisi policies. year. associates that he will prefer him to. Guma has since announced and Serowe West MP Tshekedi ideal candidate to lead BPF alongside been declared vacate?” asked Dr Botswana Federation of Public, Motshwarakgole believes the Molefhi to lead the party due his political comeback by joining Khama who is brother BPF Patron Guma or TK. Efforts to reach former Mfundisi, adding that developments Parastatal and Private Sector Unions current leadership within the to his political experience and BDP offspring, BPF. In an interview and former President Ian Khama Minister of Presidential Affairs and in the party can cause divisions. (BOFEPUSU) Secretary General, BDP and UDC are casting aside calmness. on Thursday, the former Tati East was not available for comment Selebi Phikwe East MP Molefhi Dr Mfundisi also said some of the Tobokani Rari concurs with ideological leaders who were Contacted for comment, MP said he is a BPF member in a as he did not answer calls to his proved futile. BPF supporters are using the tribal Motshwarakgole’s disappointment. groomed to ensure certainty over former Khama said it is not true good standing. cellphone. Sources said Tshekedi has Factions looming motivations for the unfortunate He said Masisi has squandered that he is recruiting Molefhi succession plans and maintain “I will be available for any NEC not declared any intentions to run Political and Administrative unethical behavior by BPF leader, his goodwill after failing to keep and pinning his hopes on him continuity. He said as such the position which BPF members may for BPF presidency in the coming Studies lecturer at University of hence a need for strategic leadership the mouth-watering promises on to lead the BPF. Molefhi said he two parties have abandoned their feel I can be useful as the leader. elective congress as he is considering Botswana, Dr Adam Mfundisi said to manage the problem. “It should improving working conditions of is still busy with preparations structures and frustrated potential In short I will love to serve in the to retire from active politics before it would be unfortunate to have TO PAGE 5 TO PAGE 4 with centenary celebrations for leaders in favour of experimental founding President Sir Seretse Khama and does not want to mix that with politics. “If I mix the celebrations with politics it might affect the preparations Moswaane’s ambition divides BPP as some will associate it with a members should tread carefully on former Botswana Democratic Party certain political party as such I • BPP old guard against his presidential aspirations such matters which can turn divisive. (BDP) legislator to be a BPP leader is can only comment about politics Furthermore, he said BPP is not going to be an easy one as some after we are done with the • ‘Molapisi favours Moswaane, NEC unhappy’ -claim part of the UDC and he does not members of BPP National Executive celebrations,” Molefhi. • Moswaane must first learn the culture of BPP- Analyst personally view the internal debate Committee (NEC) oppose him. BPF Publicity Secretary, within the BPP affecting the UDC “Molapisi is running this party Lawrence Ookeditse said they BAKANG TIRO In an interview late Friday, should not aspire to ascend to the to a larger degree as it is purely an with an iron first rule. He is a best will be going to the congress in internal matter. “And its upon the friend to Moswaane as we speak, July this year and the party has [email protected] Moswaane said there is no vacancy at helm so soon. He said Moswaane BPP or congress for now. However, should wait to learn the culture BPP membership to determine the disregarding the other members not decided yet whether it will succession debate and resolution. of NEC. He wants Moswaane to be an elective one. “Our elective pinionated Francistown he said the truth of the matter is and/or programmes of the BPP West MP Ignatius that he will contest the presidency before aspiring for leadership The Constitution of the BPP must be takeover but we cannot agree to that. congress is supposed to be held followed to the letter and the spirit to Lenyatso Mbaakanyi was pushed out next year but with circumstances O Moswaane’s interest to if the BPP general membership positions.