Despite divisions in the hierarchy of Botswana’s main opposition party, Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC), councillors in North West and Okavango Districts have demonstrated unity for a common course to stop the ruling Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) from taking over control of the newly established district councils by sweeping to victory in this week’s council elections.

In the North West District Council, Kebareeditse Ntsogotho (BCP), and Lekonne Masoko (BNF) retained the chairmanship and deputy chairmanship by defeating BDP with 19 to 10 votes each, while in Okavango, BDP’s Lesedi Boy lost the chairman position to UDC’s Gaopalelwe Ronald with 10 against 8.

The deputy chairperson was taken by UDC’s Mpoke Karapo, who beat BDP’s Lelejwang Sokwe.

Boy was elected the chairman of the then sub-district a few months ago before it was changed into a full district.

While UDC alleges it spit in the eyes of the BDP and refused to be bought, BDP maintains it never attempted to use money to buy any vote.

“There was no cash involved in anyway. We didn’t seek to buy any votes from the Maun elections. It was solid to our number; ten each election. Similarly, in Okavango, the deputy election went to a three times draw until a tossing stage,” explained BDP Regional Chairperson, Reaboka Mbulawa, who was in particular accused of trying to buy the votes in a desperate move to put back BDP in control of the council.

In Okavango, both BDP and UDC have equal number of nine councillors. However, the chairman was elected by ten, leaving BDP with eight ballots.

This meant one BDP councillor voted for UDC and, Mbulawa admits, “Well we lost Okavango chairman seat because one of our councillors voted with the opposition.

We are still to investigate whether he was paid, but surely the results say there was a coercive action involving cash and allegedly the opposition in Okavango did this.”

Nonetheless, Mbulawa maintains despite the loss, his party is on the road to flip the numbers to BDP favor come 2024, “We never use money to buy votes, but what they should know is that they’ll have to enjoy the seat while it lasts, for next year we are taking back what’s ours.”

Meanwhile, Maun West Member of Parliament, who is a UDC member, Dumelang Saleshando, has denied Mbulawa’s allegations and emphasised that his party will never stoop so low as to buy elections.

“In the past, we got wind that BDP paid some councillors to vote for them and that is how they managed to gain control of the council. This time around, we encouraged our councillors to caucus and come to an agreement and we are glad they did that,” explained Saleshando.

He further maintained that it is obvious one BDP councillor voted with UDC, “He probably had confidence in our candidate than in their BDP candidate but, whatever happened, we are glad with the outcome.

The deputy chairman was decided by a spin of coin; would they say the one who was conducting a toss was also bought?” he asked sarcastically.