Dibeela’s lobby group fears BNF election rigging
Botswana National Front ( BNF) Team Restoration led by Vice President Dr. Prince Dibeela has expressed fear that the party’s Central Committee elections at the National Elective Congress will be rigged.
Dr. Dibeela is going head- to- head with party President Advocate Duma Boko for the top post. Team Restoration Campaign Manager Mokgweetsi Kgosipula said they are concerned that the party’s head office especially the Secretariat has been captured by their rival lobby.
Kgosipula stated that at the level at which things are done at the party office, they are certain that they will not lose elections on fairness and good competition. “We believe that what will bring peace to the party would be to have a free and fair election. This includes ensuring that all the processes leading to congress are discussed by both sides and everyone is satisfied that there is no rigging of the elections.
“The culture of the BNF is that after a free and fair congress lobby groups are dissolved and all members support those would have been elected by the masses. Team Restoration is alive and intact,” he told a press conference, when responding to claims by Party Treasurer Noah Salakae, who was recalled by the lobby as its Secretary General candidate. Salakae has indicated that he was recalled after he, together with Nelson Ramaotwana and Tona Mooketsi, preached for a compromise between the two lobby groups. According to Salakae their view was that Advocate Boko and Dr. Dibeela were leaders of the BNF first before they could identify themselves with their respective factional inclinations. He said they genuinely felt the party was heavily bruised by the contest between the two leaders.
However, Kgosipula dismissed the claims by Salakae revealing that those who have been recalled were on the grounds that they were no longer active in the lobby group activities and meetings. He pointed out that Ramaotwana attended only one meeting while Salakae did attend a few and would later not bother anymore. The campaign manager revealed that they never opposed a compromise or negotiations. “We had requested our colleagues to come and address us on what they proposed to Dr. Dibeela. They never showed up in all the meetings we had scheduled with them. “We wish to point out that as Team Restoration we are open to participating in any efforts that will lead to peace and peaceful engagement in the BNF. “However, we cannot compromise the Constitution and processes of the party. The BNF Constitution stipulates how leadership should be elected, and that is through congress,” stated Kgosipula.