25 Aug 2020

Francistown West MP, Mr Ignatius Moswaane, is an independent Member of Parliament following his recent resignation from Botswana Democratic Party (BDP).Having been absent from the National Assembly meeting for three weeks to mourn his wife, Mr Moswaane returned to Parliament on Monday, only to sit in the opposition benches.

Speaker of the National Assembly, Mr Phandu Skelemani, announced that Mr Moswaane, who previously sat across the parliamentary isle in the BDP backbench, had officially notified Parliament of his resignation from the ruling party.

Suspended from the BDP on July 15 this year, Mr Moswaane officially tendered his resignation from the party on August 4.

Speaking to BOPA on the sidelines of a parliamentary session, BDP secretary general and Minister of Employment, Labour Productivity and Skills Development, Mr Mpho Balopi, acknowledged that the governing party had received Mr Moswaane’s resignation.

“As a political party, we always try to retain our members within our organisation because politics is a game of numbers and we regard a person leaving as one member too many.  But there are circumstances where individuals choose to no longer associate with the BDP and we have to respect their right to affiliate elsewhere,” Mr Balopi said.

For his part, Mr Moswaane confirmed his decision to leave the BDP for what he considered unfair treatment meted out to him.

“Last year my launch was postponed by the party and then this year there were attempts to silence me when I raised pertinent issues of corruption and Batswana not getting food parcels during COVID-19 lockdown.  

I represent the people first, so I decided to leave so I could be a better representative, unhindered by the party,” Mr Moswaane said.

He also confirmed that in the interim he would be an independent MP, but said he was looking to join a political party.

“I am still consulting with my constituents and I will also discuss with opposition political parties to gauge their vision for the country.,” Mr Moswaane said. ENDS