UDC confident of winning Mmaphula by-election

The Botswana National Front (BNF) says it has requested all its party structures at the constituency level to assist with campaigns at the Mmaphula East ward in Palapye, which is due to hold a by-election. The ward is one of the Botswana Democratic Party’s (BDP) strong areas in the village. However, for the first time in opposition history, it was won by the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) in the 2019 General Election.

The UDC currently has no councillor in the constituency as the two who were voted under the coalition ticket defected to other parties. Out of 10 wards, UDC had won two while eight were in the hands of the BDP. “The party secretary-general has written to all the BNF structures to go and assist with house-to-house campaigns in

Palapye. Our members are on the ground in the area and we believe that residents of Palapye will listen to us,” the BNF spokesperson, Justin Hunyepa said. He added that they could win the ward if they are working hard. The area Member of Parliament, Onneetse Ramogapi also said they are confident they will triumph at Mmaphula despite a few challenges they are facing.

Some of the huddles include the lack of resources, although he said they will overcome those obstacles.

“We have financial constraints, but the ground is promising because the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) affiliates have arrived in the area to assist us with campaigns,” Ramogapi said.

“It is not easy to win the area from the BDP, but we are working hard as the UDC members. Mmaphula residents have been neglected for the longest time hence they want to try an opposition councillor. One of the area’s challenges is the failure to access their homes easily. The internal roads are bad,” he added.

He said crime in the area is also high because the area is bushy. Mmaphula ward by-election will be held in June and those who will be battling for council seat include Antony Phalalo of the BDP, Gaolathe Kenosi of the Botswana Congress Party (BCP) and Mompoloki Mohutsiwa of the UDC.

The

UDC currently has no councillor in the constituency as the two who were voted under the coalition ticket defected to other

parties