*BPF dumps UDC to pursue solo political path
The bromance between the ruling Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) and the Botswana Patriotic Front (BPF) is over, just two years after the two parties worked together to wrestle power from the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) in the 2024 General Election.
In a telling development in Palapye on Tuesday, the BPF, working together with BDP and Botswana Congress Party (BCP) councillors, successfully passed a motion of no confidence against the sitting Palapye District Council Chairperson from the UDC.
Kabo Ketshogile, who survived a similar motion last week, was eventually ousted, with Tamasane Ward councillor David Ikanyeng elected as the new chairperson.
The decision has exposed the growing rift between the UDC and the BPF.
While the BPF was never officially part of the UDC, the two parties worked closely together in 2024 under an arrangement that saw them refrain from fielding candidates in each other’s strongholds.
The BPF, led by its patron, former President Ian Khama, was effectively handed much of the Central District, while the UDC focused on the south of the country.
The strategy paid off, delivering a combined total of 41 parliamentary seats.
The UDC won a historic 36 seats, while the BPF claimed five. In recognition of the cooperation, two BPF members, Baratiwa Mathoothe and Lawrence Ookeditse, were appointed to President Duma Boko’s Cabinet.
According to the BPF’s Interim Publicity Secretary, Modiri Jojo Lucas, the arrangement created confusion among party members and the general public.
“People wondered whether we were a ruling party or an opposition party,” said Lucas.
“The answer is that we are an opposition party, and as the BPF, we are focused on growing the party because our mission is to one day assume state power,” he said, following the Palapye developments.
Lucas said BPF members have made it clear they want the party to chart its own course.
As a member of the Compromise Interim Committee, under the leadership of interim president Lt Gen (Rtd) Gaolathe Galebotswe, he said the focus is on rebuilding the BPF into a force capable of challenging for power.
“What happened in Palapye was a clear vote of confidence from fellow councillors that the BPF can indeed lead,” he said.
Lucas told The Voice that in May, the BPF’s three warring factions came together and agreed that each faction would contribute four members to the Compromise Interim Committee.
The committee will focus on uniting the party and preparing for a congress expected in July.
“Our members are clear. There is no confusion, and under our interim leader, Galebotswe, we will revive party structures and hold a congress that will give our leaders a fresh mandate,” Lucas said.
“Our intentions have always been clear. We fielded a candidate in the Kgalagadi by-election and we also have a candidate in Tati North by-elections. We are not in a coalition with anyone. However, whenever there is a need to support another party in an election, that can be discussed and an agreement reached,” he said.
