WHO USED WHO? PPP helped us wrestle Tonota from Domi – BNF veteran

We are now looking for his replacement – Mohwasa I consulted with Khama before leaving - Moatlhodi

Botswana National Front (BNF) veteran and former councillor for Tonota West ward in the Tonota Constituency, Lemme Kgopa says they are now at peace with the departure of their Member o f Pa r l i ament Pono Moatlhodi to the ruling, Botswana Democratic Party.

Besides, he opines, the elderly MP has satisfied the purpose for which he was recruited from the BDP to the BNF back in 2014. “When we recruited him from the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP), we did that to use him. The goal was to wrestle the constituency from the BDP. We wanted to remove the BDP person and replace him with the Botswana National Front ( BNF) person,” the veteran politician told The Midweek

Sun.

Kgopa, alongside councillor for Tonota South East and others, was at the forefront of the Moathodi recruitment drive into the BNF. “I called him Mma Dinotshe because of his popularity with the people. ( Kenneth) Koma taught us to recruit influential people from the BDP and use them to destabilise the party. Moathodi has helped us make history by winning Tonota which has been a BDP stronghold since 1965. We have achieved what we had intended,” boasted the BNF stalwart who feels proud to have been groomed by Koma, the deceased BNF former President.

Kgopa claims that the people of Tonota can never trust Moatlhodi after what he did. “He is finished politically and will not return to parliament in the 2024 general election.

What is important is that the voters will not join him in his defection to the BDP. The people will remain behind,” noted Kgopa, who added that the challenge now for the BNF and UDC is to find a quality and popular candidate to replace Moatlhodi.

The BNF’s constituency chairman, Tsagae Keakile, does not buy Moathodi’s expressed reasons for leaving the opposition.

Like several commentators, Keakile believes that there might have been some behindthe- scenes dealings that culminated with offers from the BDP to him.

“He says he had a problem with Dumelang Saleshando. If that is the case, why then resign from his party, the BNF?” wondered Keakile. His view is that Saleshando was right to drop Moatlhodi from the position of Opposition Whip pending his case of physical abuse of a minor which is before the courts.

“Even before the elections, we spoke to him seeking answers from him on the case but he was reluctant to engage us. His violent anger with Saleshando before resigning is just a stunt. It is an excuse. It is not the real cause of his joining the BDP,” asserted Keakile.

According to the constituency chairman, Moathodi should not have gone public on his fight with Saleshando. “He publicly fought his leader and that is not right,” he said. When contacted for comment, the UDC Head of Communications, Moeti Mohwasa could only say, “We thank him for contributing to the growth of the BNF and UDC in Tonota and wish him well in his political endeavours. As for us, we are looking for his replacement,” said Mohwasa.

Popular opinion within the opposition ranks is that over and above being bought by the BDP, he was promised the role of Deputy Speaker which they feel he should have rejected when he was asked to act.

Howe v e r, Moa t l ho di remains adamant that the UDC mistreated him. “The whole thing was disrespectful and unacceptable. Caucus meetings were held and I was not invited. I remain pained to this day. I do not see anything wrong with my being appointed as Acting Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly. I am here to serve the country. I was given this post publicly inside parliament and in full view of everyone,” said Moatlhodi in an interview.

Contrary to popular opinion, Moatlhodi maintains that the BDP has not promised him anything in return for his defection.

Asked if he has any plans to contest the 2024 general elections, the veteran politician said, “It is too early to say. Right now my priorities are the fulfilment of my campaign pledges such as advocating for the construction of a hospital in Tonota; Tonota-Mabesekwa road; Tonota-Mmadinare road as well as another primary school at Shashe-Mooke.”

With many more saying he was helped by former President Ian Khama to win the Tonota constituency against former MP Thapelo Olopeng, Moatlhodi shared that he actually consulted with Khama – his friend and Kgosikgolo - before making his move. “We discussed the issue thoroughly. Unfortunately, the damage had already been done and there was no coming back,” he explained.