Political parties ready for Serowe-West by-election
In the midst of disqualification of the Serowe West Member of Parliament (MP), Tshekedi Khama, and the announcement declaring the area vacant, an opportunity has presented itself for political parties to contest the constituency once the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) calls for a by-election.
Khama has been in South Africa since last year after he and his wife, Thea Khama and his twin brother, Anthony were briefly detained and questioned by the Directorate of Intelligence and Security (DIS) over alleged possession of weapons of war. Together with his elder brother, former president Ian Khama and their other family members, they are currently living in South Africa because they say they fear being persecuted by the President Mokgweetsi Masisi-led government.
Mmegi quizzed political parties about their readiness ahead of the looming by-election. Some of the parties said they are ready to contest and probably win while the Botswana Patriotic Front (BPF) is confident to retain the seat. Even though the BPF is currently in chaos following key members’ resignations, political analysts are of the view that there is no threat to the BPF retaining the seat in any by-election in the constituency.
The (analysts) strongly believe that Serowe constituencies are safe for now for the BPF. Even the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) with State resources at its disposal cannot win the seat because voters in the area are behind the BPF. Coupled with that, the disqualification of Khama might be interpreted by some as a continued onslaught by the current regime on the tribe and its leadership.
Reached for comment, the BPF’s spokesperson, Lawrence Ookeditse is adamant that the BPF will retain the seat without doubt despite allegations that some party members are doing everything to de-campaign the party president, Biggie Butale and his leadership. Ookeditse stated that like any other political party, they are currently getting ready in preparing for the by-election should the IEC call announce one. Asked to rate their chances of retaining the seat, Ookeditse is confident that Serowe is the stronghold of the BPF and there is no threat to the party retaining the seat in any by-election in the constituency.
“We know that the BDP will try to use its power to frustrate us but we are ready to face them. We have numbers rallying behind the BPF and we will surely retain the constituency without a doubt. We are from the congress and preparations are ongoing ahead of Mmaphula East ward and Serowe West Constituency by-elections respectively with the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC),” Ookeditse said.
Former cabinet minister Moiseraela Goya and former mayor of Francistown, James Kgalajwe have reportedly raised their hands as prospective BPF candidates for this looming parliamentary by-election in Serowe West. Goya has, however, refuted allegations that he is eyeing the constituency. Some people are of the view that the BPF still has potential especially in the Central District. This is where the party won three Serowebased constituencies, which since independence were the BDP unshakable stronghold. The three were later on joined by Mephato Reatile after decamping from the BDP becoming the party’s fourth legislator. The BPF also played assists in other constituencies in the Central District where the beneficiary was mainly the UDC.For his part, the BDP spokesperson, Kagelelo Kentse said as the ruling party they do not see Khama’s disqualification as an opportunity to contest and probably win the area but they feel sorry for the people of Serowe West constituency
“The people of that area voted for Khama with expectations of having a leader and a representation in Parliament only for him to abandon them. We feel sorry for the people of Serowe West. However, should the IEC call a by-election, the BDP is ready to participate. That area has been one of BDP’s strongholds for decades and we only lost it to the BPF in 2019,” he said.
Kentse was adamant that the BDP still has a lot of BDP followers in Serowe West who were not pleased with 2019 General Election outcomes and they are ready to vote for party anytime and help BDP to win the area back. Commenting on behalf of the Botswana Congress Party (BCP), the party’s spokesperson, Mpho Pheko said the BCP notes that there is a lot that is going on in the nation that requires the party to
stand on the side of the people of Botswana to facilitate an authentic, credible and sustainable change of government.
“Standing on this side and facilitating this type of change of government requires that we contest as many elections and by-elections
as possible. Only then, our message regarding authentic regime change that is anchored on economic prosperity, democracy and good governance, can be made heard,” she said.
Pheko further stated that they also note that Serowe has not been a BCP stronghold
but nonetheless, the party’s decision to contest will be guided by its local structures (region and constituency). However, Pheko revealed that the local structures are currently conducting an evaluation that will inform the party’s decision.