Botswana Labour Party (BLP) has launched a scathing attack on the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) urging Batswana not to risk replacing Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) with a party system whose body language reflects that of the current government.
In their solidarity message to Botswana Congress Party (BCP) which is holding its Leadership Forum in Palapye, BLP said that it regrets what a section of the Alliance for Progressives (AP) did in decamping from the popular coalition. “However, we take this time to invite AP members who are not happy with the unpopular decision of their leaders to stay put.”
BLP said that in the coalition there are many places for politicians, church, civil society, union leaders and the sports fraternity. “Having been led by one party since independence, we cannot afford to bring in another makeshift party that has the potential for instability because of lack of cohesion as is the case with UDC.”
Meanwhile, BCP President, Dumelang Saleshando has warned his members to guard against state capture, citing the electricity crisis in South Africa as an example of the many repercussions resulting from the practice.
He said that state capturing has already manifested itself in Botswana. “Corruption is high while the health and education system are failing. We cannot solve the BDP rot by bringing another party that is doing the same.”
He pleaded with his party members to work and campaign along their party values and avoid propaganda. “Propaganda is for others, its their values not us.”
