Former President, Ian Khama, has dismissed allegations that he sponsored an Independent Candidate with 500 campaign t-shirts prior to the recent Mmaphula East ward by election in Palapye.
In an interview with The Voice (story on print this week), expelled BPF President, Biggie Butale, alleged that the former President sponsored, Pelotlhomogi Ntebang with 500 t-shirts as part of the campaign.
However, when asked about the accusations, Khama said that he did not sponsor the independent candidate with any t-shirts. “Master Goya asked me for t-shirts that he said he was going to give to people. The fact that they were then used to give the impression I was supporting that candidate was improper and very unfortunate. That is why I came out clearly on the eve of the by elections in Palapye that I was supporting the UDC candidate.”
Khama says there was no way he could support someone who had resigned from the BPF.
Goya on the other hand has dismissed Khama’s statement saying when he asked for the t-shirt branded, ‘Eseng Mo go Kgosikgolo’ he made him aware that they were for campaign. “The Independent Candidate didn’t have any campaign t-shirts and he used the ‘Kgosikgolo’ ones and elders were asking for them hence we approached Khama,” said Goya who has just been expelled from BPF.
The Umbrella for Democratic Change candidate, Mohutsiwa Mompoloki went to win the by election with 384 votes, beating Gaolathe Kenosi of Botswana Congress Party who got 256 while the Botswana Democratic Party ‘ s candidate Andrew Phalalo went away with 162 votes and the independent candidate- Pelotlhomogi, only managed 122 votes.