22 Jul 2026

Botswana People's Party (BPP) president, Mr Motlatsi Molapisi, has confirmed that Francistown East MP, Mr Tiroeaone Ntsima, remains a member of the party in good standing.

His remarks followed speculation that Mr Ntsima had left the party and was preparing to join another political party within a coalition aligned to the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC).

Addressing the second BPP Leadership Forum in Francistown on Saturday, Mr Molapisi dismissed the speculation, saying the party had amicably resolved its differences with the MP.

Meanwhile, Mr Molapisi also expressed concern over the party’s weak organisational structures, saying they had contributed to the postponement of the special conference that was scheduled for Masunga during the President’s Day holidays.

“The lack of structures has negatively affected the growth and performance of the party. Functional structures are essential for recruiting new members and strengthening the organisation,” he said.

He condemned character assassination among members, warning that such behaviour fuelled divisions and factionalism, which could undermine the BPP’s coalition within the UDC-led government.

“The leadership will not hesitate to take decisive action against those who violate party policies. There are individuals within the party whose objective is to destroy or divide it, and we are closing in on them for appropriate action,” he said.

Mr Molapisi urged members to work together to help retain the UDC-led government in the 2029 general elections.

Francistown West MP, Mr Ignatius Moswaane, and BPP deputy president, Professor Phillip Bulawa, echoed Mr Molapisi’s remarks, stating that the decision to postpone the conference was made collectively by the National Executive Committee.

Speaking on party policy, Prof. Bulawa said the BPP’s ideology was rooted on Pan-Africanism and land ownership, reflected in the party slogan Shango, a Kalanga word meaning ‘land’.

He criticised the previous government for purchasing 45 000 hectares of land from Tati Company, arguing that the land should have been returned to Batswana without payment.

Prof. Bulawa said land remained central to livelihoods and economic development, noting that key sectors such as mining, agriculture and tourism all depended on access to land. ENDS