BPF headed for a split

Disgruntled members mull formation of a splinter Proposed symbol, slogan already getting approval The symbol of the new party is a bee feeding on a sunflower – Source Party members demand that suspensions, congress regulations be reversed

Botswana Patriotic Front ( BPF) is a party headed for a split as some disgruntled members are now working behind the scenes to form a new political movement, Botswana Guardian has established. This publication has learned that the plan for a new party got underway last week amid demands by various structures of the party for the National Executive Committee ( NEC) to reverse some of its decisions. Since last week letters of demand have been flooding the party office with demands among them the reinstatement of all those who have been suspended, including party leader Biggie Butale and reversal of the congress regulations. Sources within the party have revealed that pressure is mounting on the NEC especially Acting President Caroline Lesang to have most of the queried decisions reversed.

Botswana Guardian investigations have uncovered information that a symbol and a slogan was presented and agreed to over the weekend. According to information gathered, the only thing that can save the party from splitting is for the NEC to meet the demands put forward. BPF Members of Parliament, Councillors and BPF Women’s League have put forward similar demands for consideration by the NEC. According to sources, those pushing for the formation of a new party argue that they cannot form the BPF and have it handed over to people like Samson Guma who is vying for the party presidency. Ever since being part of the NEC Guma has managed to sway the allegiance of some NEC members who used to be pro- former President Ian Khama, the BPF Patron. While some in the party believe Guma will help to grow the party, others believe he is just infiltrating it and wants to destroy it from within. It has been revealed that regions this week will follow suit and put forward their demands.

The BPF has 14 regions. Some of the expected demands from the regions are said be for Lesang to step down as acting president, postponement of congress and holding of a conference. MPs who expressed concern over the recent suspensions of party deputy secretary general, Vuyo Notha, youth league secretary general Botsalo Morotsi, Central Region Chairman Tumo Tumo, Women’s League Secretary of Labour Affairs Annah Maswikiti among others, called for the lifting of same. They argued that the suspensions are aimed at illuminating competition before the elective congress. The MPs, Councillors, Women’s League called for the reversal of the suspension, reversal of the implementation of the published NEC Election Regulations, as there was no consultation with regional committees, auxiliary organs and all other structures of the BPF. According to insiders if the NEC fails or refuses to accede to the demands, the disgruntled members will on the same date of the elective congress, host a conference either in Serowe or Palapye as a parallel event to launch the new party. The elective congress is scheduled for October 28th to 30th in Tati Siding. The symbol of the new party is a bee feeding on a sunflower. The party’s moniker is Mmadinotshi with a proposed slogan of ‘ Ya mo loma Notshi’ or ‘ The bee stings’. The envisaged formation of the party and the progress is said to have unsettled the BPF leadership. It is yet to be seen if the pressure from the party structures will force the party to reverse its decisions and call a conference to deal with the internal problems as suggested by some within the party.

Botswana Guardian has learned that all those who are anti- Guma are likely to dump the party and leave it as a shell and associate with the new party.

At press time BPF Patron Ian Khama was to be briefed on the progress of this new development. Khama has indicated that he is not going to support people whose intention is to destroy the BPF. He has associated himself with the Moiseraela Goya team. Goya is expected to battle it out for party presidency against Guma and Butale if the latter’s suspension is lifted before the congress. The party leadership is also today ( Friday) expected to meet with the Councillors who are equally worried about the state of the party. The Women’s League has also called for the reversal of the dissolution of the league.

They argue that the unilateral decision by the league president Victoria Keekee to dissolve it is a gross violation of the party constitution. In the dissolution memo, Keekee claimed that it was resolved during the Women’s League retreat in Kanye that the executive committee be dissolved, a statement dismissed by the league.

BPF Publicity Secretary Lawrence Ookeditse said as far as he knows there is no splinter party expected to come out of the BPF. He said the NEC is yet to meet to consider first the authenticity of any correspondence and second, the contents of any such. “But I see the NEC meeting Councillors as they are important stakeholders that we do not meet as often as we do MPs, who are ex- officio in the NEC,” he said regarding today’s envisaged meeting with the Councillors. The BPF Spokesperson indicated that as for suspensions, the BPF NEC is tasked by congress and the constitution to ensure order and discipline in the party. Each person, he said, answers to allegations against them.

“Each was suspended for violations of their own and not as a group. Each case is obviously looked at on its own merits. We are not aware of any splinter party. BPF members love their party.

“Jostling for positions is normal. It doesn’t mean a party is splitting. The NEC considers all matters brought to its attention. On the basis of the merits any idea may be adopted.

“But it should be clear that the NEC is the only structure that decides on when to call congress. Others may make requests - not demands,” Ookeditse said, adding that the party will not do anything about allegations of a new party because there is no splinter.