Councilors revolt as dictatorship creeps into the BPF

Botswana Patriotic Front (BPF) councillors have called for a meeting with the party leadership to discuss the state of the party. The BPF is currently engulfed in factional wars ahead of its October elective congress slated for Tati Siding.

The demand for the meeting comes after the party’s Members of Parliament demanded that the National Executive Committee (NEC) should reverse its decision to suspend Deputy Secretary General Vuyo Notha, Central Region Chairman Tumo Tumo, Youth League Secretary General Botsalo Morotsi and dissolution of the Women’s Wing.

The letter signed by the councillors requested an urgent meeting on the 23rd of September 2022.

“The purpose of the meeting is to address the current disturbing status of the party. On the 15th of September 2022, the councillors also resolved that NEC consider rescinding the suspension of Party President Biggie Butale - we believe it is indefinite and therefore undemocratic; Deputy secretary general, youth league secretary general and central region chairperson and other members. We want the reversal of the women’s league dissolution which is unconstitutional. The NEC should consider conducting a conference before congress to cement party unity and stability. Reversal of the NEC regulations regarding proceedings of the congress,” the letter signed by 16 councillors said. The Women’s League has also written to the party leadership calling for the nullification of the dissolution of the league. “The Women’s league is in receipt of a memo dated 6th September 2022 from Ivory Keekee, the BPF Women’s League President, stating that she has unilaterally dissolved the Women’s League with immediate effect. This is both un-procedural and against the spirit of the BPF Constitution.

“Keekee further dictates that the Women’s League is to hold an elective congress on 25th to 26th March 2023. Before then she will further unilaterally appoint an interim committee. This drastic action is meant to further consolidate power,” reads the letter from the Women’s league.

The league has since urged the NEC to nullify the decision by Keekee to dissolve the Women’s League, for the simple reason that it seriously violates the constitution and seeks to entrench some sort of a dictatorship in the party.