BPF on auto- pilot
The announcement by the Botswana Patriotic Front ( BPF) Secretary General, Tshekedi Khama reversing decisions of the National Executive Committee ( NEC) has been declared a nullity.
Tshekedi who is on self- imposed exile together with his elder brother former President Ian Khama who also serves as BPF Patron and Bangwato Kgosi, has been outside the country since March this year. The duo has in most instances attended the BPF NEC meetings virtually.
As the infighting continues in the BPF, Khama this week indicated through a media release that a meeting of the NEC held on Monday has resolved that the recent suspensions be lifted unconditionally. The suspensions are for Deputy Secretary General; Secretary General Youth League; Secretary, Labour Affairs, Women’s League; Chairman, Central Region; Publicity Secretary, Women’s League; Julia Moalusi; Annah Maswikiti; Abueng Malepa; and Sibahle Shabani. “The NEC resolved that the disbanding of the women’s league be reversed immediately. That the Elective Congress slated for end of October be postponed to February/ March 2023. That a National Conference be held on the 25 - 27 November 2022 and be followed by a star rally in Tonota. “That the Women and Youth leagues hold their congresses before the National Conference. That the Directorate for Elections be disbanded forthwith. The NEC Election Regulations be put in abeyance until they are approved at the party National Conference,” Tshekedi said in the communique. Tshekedi who is also the Member of Parliament for Serowe West pointed out that it was resolved that the current Disciplinary Committee be disbanded and be reconstituted with new members immediately. It also resolved that the party should continue with its negotiations with the UDC and that a clear position paper would be presented to the party congress for its ratification. According to Tshekedi, suspended president Biggie Butale has been reinstated and he is the one who chaired the meeting. Butale revealed last week that he is now back on his seat. The disbanded disciplinary com
mittee last week slapped Butale with three charges that he has to appear for. BPF Publicity Secretary Lawrence Ookeditse maintained that the status quo remains. He said there has never been any NEC meeting this week. According to Ookeditse, the decisions of the NEC remain as they have been communicated before. The BPF is expected to hold its congress in Tati- Siding end of next month where a new leadership is to be ushered into office following its last congress in 2019 in Palapye. The
BPF has been battling internal fights since last year after the party president Biggie Butale was suspended for alleged sexual misconduct. While factions exist within political parties especially during elective congresses, the situation at the BPF is currently more toxic. The BPF is currently torn between Butale, Moiseraela Goya and Samson Guma who are all vying for the presidency of the BPF. Both Goya and Guma serve in the NEC after being co- opted to fill vacant positions.