06 Jun 2018

Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) secretary general, Mr Mpho Balopi has refuted allegations that the country was run based on tribal lines.

Speaking during BDP monthly press briefing in Gaborone on June 5, Mr Balopi said media reports suggesting that there was North versus South style of leadership were a fallacy created by media houses to taint BDP.

“If it is about North versus South, where is the East and West,” he said, adding that the country was not run along geographical locations.

Mr Balopi underscored that in Botswana there was only one nation of Batswana.

He also said media reports insinuating that there was bad blood between President Mokgweetsi Masisi and fourth President, Lt Gen. Dr Seretse Khama Ian Khama were misleading.

He said any Head of State was at liberty to introduce his style of leadership that is not a replica of the previous leader because as a leader they should respond differently to situations they find in place.

“It is normal for a leader to introduce fresh ideas. Also, it is human nature that people will never stop complaining because some of the things he introduces will not please everyone,” he said.

He said media reports that President Masisi was doing away with former president Lt Gen. Dr Khama’s administration and replacing all strategic positions with people from the south were disturbing.

He said it was not true that President Masisi has reversed major decisions made by former president Lt Gen. Dr Khama’s administration to humiliate him as reported by some media.

Mr Balopi further said former presidents were given same treatment as prescribed by law, adding that reports that former president Lt Gen. Dr Khama was not allowed to use official aircraft were a bad propaganda meant to taint President Masisi.

On other issues, Mr Balopi said preparations for the second phase of the BDP’s Bulela Ditswe are in full swing.

He stated that the elections, scheduled for August 11, would be conducted in the 39 BDP-held constituencies.

He said the party had decided to extend the time frame for registration of party members from May 31 to June 28 because of the influx of new members.

“We want smooth registration that will give every member an opportunity to vote a representative of his or her choice. 

So, we extended the registration period as we do not want to leave any member behind,” he said.

Mr Balopi further highlighted that registration of names for candidates of both council and Parliament would commence from June 1 to 15.

He said after registration of candidates, names would be released on July 13, and aspirants would now be allowed to start campaigning for primary elections.

Mr Balopi introduced Moshupa- Manyana BDP Parliamentary hopeful, Mr Karabo Gare, who will be competing against UDC hopeful for the bye-election scheduled for July 16.

He further said there were allegations that registration in some constituencies and wards was not conducted procedurally because some members had ‘captured’ party structures, disadvantaging some party members.

In this regard, the central committee has since decided that the Political Education and Elections Committee should start conducting open mass registration supervised by the committee to give everyone an opportunity. ENDS