14 Feb 2019

The secretary general of Botswana Movement for Democracy (BMD) also MP for Mochudi West Mr Gilbert Mangole has resigned as opposition chief whip.

Addressing media on Wednesday, Mr Mangole indicated that his resignation was a result of the current political events within the opposition ranks which he said made it difficult for him to perform his job diligently.

He said when he took the position of opposition chief whip, there were cracks already within the opposition, which consequently escalated.

He said such tensions worsened when the BMD was expelled from the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC).

Following the BMD expulsion from UDC, Mr Mangole said there were mistrusts, divisions and suspicions among them as opposition members, adding that the environment was now not conducive for him to perform his duties effectively.

Therefore, he said he decided to resign and suggested that his position be filled from anyone from BCP or BNF.

Meanwhile, BMD leader, Advocate Sydney Pilane also briefed media on the development and status of BMD within the UDC.

Advocate Pilane said BMD’s wish was to reconcile and further added that as BMD they were going to the 2019 elections as UDC.

He said BMD would emerge victorious at the pending court case with UDC following their expulsion from the coallision.

He stated that UDC would not go to the polls without BMD, saying if the case was not resolved by the time of general elections, then all parties would run independently. ENDs