Minister Segokgo clashes with his Councillors
MP accused of plotting candidates against current Councillors Rift with Councillors said to have started post 2019 general election It is just propaganda - Segokgo
Botswana Democratic Party ( BDP) in Tlokweng Constituency is engrossed in bitter divisions due to a rift between area Member of Parliament Thulagano Segokgo, who is also Minister of Communications, Knowledge and Technology and his Councillors, sources have said .
The tension between the Minister and his Councillors which is said to date back to 2019 has escalated, fuelled by an alleged plot by Segokgo to ensure that the Councillors lose elections during the coming Bulela- Ditswe in preparations for the general election.
Information reaching this publication alleges that out of the 12 wards in the constituency, Segokgo has already planted seven potential candidates who will challenge the incumbent Councillors. Tlokweng Constituency which initially had eight wards will now have 12 wards following the delimitation process which gave the constituency additional four wards. The Councillors are said to have expressed their concern with the Branch leadership after it was discovered that all the seven candidates parachuted by the Minister are actually his close relatives. “We are not talking about distant relatives, we are talking about cousins, nephews and nieces. Our relationship with the Minister has not been a good one. “We do not understand why he would have a rift with all of us in the constituency even the specially elected Councillors,” a councillor who did not want to be named, said. Another Councillor accused the MP of being too controlling while in public he appears like a humble leader. The Councillor stated that with the area MP, it is his way or the highway. It is alleged that the MP wanted to have controlling powers over the Councillors and the Council. He has been accused of having tried to control the leadership of the former Sub- Council before it became a fullyfledged Council. Segokgo has also been accused of campaigning hiding behind sponsorship of football tournaments in the constituency. Tlokweng Branch Secretary, Setete Phuthego could not be reached for comment at press time.
Segokgo rubbished the allegations against him as pettiness. He said those spreading such allegations cannot even provide proof. He told Botswana Guardian that he is not surprised at the news because the same was said about him in the past primary elections.
“This is just a campaign against myself. I mean how can I force people to contest if they do not want to? I know such things will be said because we are in a silly season in our politics. People should also know that there are processes and procedures in the party that need to be followed.
“So, there is no how things could be done my way. No one is bigger than the party, what is being peddled in short is mere propaganda,” Segokgo told this publication. He added that any person in good standing in the BDP has the right to contest for any position in the party and participate in