*Rival camps strike unity deal ahead of December elective congress
Botswana Patriotic Front (BPF) rival camps that have been fighting over the party’s leadership met this week for mediation talks ahead of the elective congress scheduled for 4th and 5th December.
BPF has appointed an interim National Executive Committee (NEC) to steer the party until the congress. The NEC formed by members from both factions will also appoint an interim disciplinary committee to handle any arising disciplinary matters.
The opposing camps shared positions with each team, Team Galebotswe and Team Ookeditse, getting five positions each. However, missing from the list is Member of Parliament for Nata/Gweta constituency, Lawrence Ookeditse.
The Voice Reporter, DANIEL CHIDA, speaks to Modiri Jojo Lucas, the media liaison officer who has now been appointed the interim Deputy Secretary General.
What do the latest developments mean?
The latest developments mean the leadership may have heard what members were crying about and are equally disappointed especially that many of them questioned why we couldn’t form a new structure. Some even gave me the task to do it because I managed to glue the party together and made it relevant even when it was not fashionable to many.
How do you feel about your new role having been initially left out?
I feel honoured because I have all the capabilities to assemble and help BPF to grow and have already made good relationships with many stakeholders like trade unions, tertiary structures and the informal sector among others. About being left out at first, I was asking myself questions, wondering where I went wrong. I know I have dedicated most of my time to the party and I thought maybe some of my positions especially growing the BPF brand than rushing into coalitions could have rubbed others the wrong way but finally I was nominated and I am happy.
How long is this committee going to serve?
The committee is certainly going to be there until the next elective congress to be held on the 4th and 5th December.
What will be its mandate?
The mandate is to focus on taking the party to the elective congress, and obviously, new structures ought to be resuscitated or established throughout the regions.
What prevented this form of structure from working before?
Team Lawrence Ookeditse refused to honour the first agreement by bringing six people to fill up some positions, and the other party did not agree; hence the mediators were forced to convene for second talks.
Following the failure to cooperate as a group before, do you see it working this time?
I remain optimistic that it can only function if everything can be done with transparency and also allow the congress to be run by independent bodies.
Some members have reportedly threatened to leave as they are not happy with the new cooperation model; what is your take?
Yes, indeed, people always have their opinions and attitude towards such developments. Those who want out must be respectfully granted their wish, especially after the party was marred by a chronology of very unfortunate events which nearly made the public to lose hope. We need to be honest with ourselves as members. Batswana should shun gangsterism in politics; we don’t need any spill of blood.
Is BPF ready for a split or to lose members?
In politics, anything can happen, but all I have been preaching is unity and growth within our movement and I believe every member who loves it will now start preaching peace and unity so that the party remains a formidable force to be reckoned with. We must seek peace and we need to know that it is Botswana first before our political parties.
Why did some members refused to be co-opted into the new committee?
Yes, Ramogala did not accept the offer of being appointed SG because he was not consulted, and secondly, he felt the interim committee, which was established by the 17th March 2026 court judgement, has a pool of potential candidates who are very capable. He questioned why him and believes the party must come first before individuals. He is a former District Council Secretary for Palapye and is a man of principle and integrity.
THE INTERIM NEC
President- Galebotswe
Vice President- Muzila (Team Ookeditse)
Chairperson- Porati (Team Galebotswe)
SG- Dr Malefho (Team Ookeditse)
DSG- Lucas (Team Galebotswe)
Treasurer- Segwai (Team Ookeditse)
D. Treasurer- Maruatona (Team Galebotswe)
Publicity-Kgosiemang (Team Ookeditse)
National Organising Sec- Lesedi (Team Galebotswe)
Sec Legal Affairs- Sesinyi (Team Ookeditse
