BCP councillor siblings deny BPF link
PALAPYE: Botswana Congress Party (BCP) Palapye councillors, also brothers, George Makhura and Jordan Makhura have refuted claims linking them to the Botswana Patriotic Front (BPF).
The brothers, known for their unequivocal presence at both the Palapye Administration Authority (PAA) and the Central District Council, have been raising the BCP flag in the constituency for a long time.
The denial comes at a time when some councillors in the Sub-District-Council had been peddling rumours in the constituency to the effect that the duo were about to complete the switch to the new party.
George is in his second term at the council, having won the Khurumela ward in 2014 and 2019. His elder brother, Jordan is on a third term. He won Morupule Ward three consecutive times since 2009 under the BCP ticket.The rumours are said to have reached the BCP leadership.
George, who is the councillor for Khurumela Ward said he was aware of the rumours. He said he received a call from the BCP president, Dumelang Saleshando who inquired about the issue.
“The fact is that I have not joined the BPF and I have not resigned from my party (BCP). Otherwise there would be letters to that effect as it has been happening with others,” George Makhura said. “I told the BPF followers that I would think about it. I did not want to contest the next elections, but if I am going to contest. I should listen to the people that I would be representing,” he added.
Jordan also confirmed he was aware of the rumours and shared his brother’s sentiments. He said he had been approached by BPF and was yet to make a decision.
“I am still a BCP member and I have not given it (BPF advances) a thought yet. I am focused on delivering for Morupule people that have sent me to represent them at the council,” he said.
“If there are going to be any changes in my affiliation, it would be a change for the people that I represent. I speak for the people and their interests. That is what drives me,” he emphasised.
The councillor further said he was interested in the recruitment drive of the BPF in preparation for the 2024 general elections.
“It is interesting what they are doing at the moment. None of the parties are showing a similar hunger for growth, but this is the time to start preparations for the next national elections” he said.
In his view, Morupule councillor reckoned all the opposition parties should unite and form a single party if they were to defeat the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) at the next elections.
“Batswana are tired of the mess that they find themselves in at the hands of the ruling party. They have long called for opposition unity and that is what we should deliver to them.
We cannot ignore the calls of the voters forever. Negotiations must begin as early as now,” Jordan said.
BPF has been making major in-roads in the Central District. A number of councillors in the PAA sub-district council are rumoured to be making a beeline for the BPF.
BPF spokesperson, Justice Motlhabani this week affirmed they were on an aggressive recruitment drive countrywide. He also said they held a workshop recently, training their members on recruitment strategies.
“The party is aggressively recruiting members, but I can’t specify any names until the national executive council approves,” he said when quizzed if they had approached the Makhura brothers.
Recently, councillor for Topisi ward in the Serowe South constituency, Samuel Kenalemang quit the BDP for BPF.
Former council for Xhosa Ward in Mahalapye, Modiri Ramaribana also quit BDP for BPF. BDP chairperson at Newtown Ward in Serowe, Poloko Moganana also followed suit.