Mohwasa divides BNF
Tsaone Basimanebotlhe | Monday April 24, 2023 06:00
Already the BNF, a leading member of the opposition Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC), is reportedly divided to the core due the Mohwasa matter. Following that, two camps have emerged with one side challenging Boko’s decision to appoint longtime UDC spokesperson, Mohwasa, into the party’s CC. On the other hand, Boko and his supporters are steadfast on retaining Mohwasa who lost his secretary-general (SG) position to veteran trade unionist Ketlhalefile Motshwegwa at the BNF congress last year.
It has been nine months now since Mohwasa has been co-opted into the BNF’s leadership and ultimately as the spokesperson of the UDC. Mmegi has learnt that those who want him to be kicked out of the central committee and its affiliate UDC claim that Mohwasa is not running things well in the BNF together with UDC. According to an insider, the concerned members feel that Mohwasa and Boko are negotiating with Alliance for Progressives (AP) without the consent of the CC.
It is understood that the BNF Women’s League president, Dr Bonang Nkoane has since been requested to be part of UDC NEC and replace Mohwasa. Information reaching Mmegi is that the Women’s League is having a meeting this week to evaluate the matter. On the contrary, when contacted for comment, BNF spokesperson Justin Hunyepa confirmed that Mohwasa is still a member of the BNF central committee as well as the UDC national executive committee (NEC) as its head of communication.
Hunyepa also stated that political party members always have some differences and the BNF is no exception but they are blessed to have the national chairperson, Dr Patrick Molutsi who has been impressively managing the differences. He also refuted allegations that Nkoane is deployed at the UDC. Hunyepa said the BNF wants a united opposition and will do everything to attract all opposition parties into UDC so that it removes the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) from power in the 2024 General Election.
For his part, Mohwasa also revealed that he is still a member of the NEC and nothing has changed. On the issue that he and Boko started secret talks with the AP without the NEC authority, Mohwasa clarified that it is the UDC’s wish to have formal negotiations with AP but this can only happen under the authority of the NEC. He emphasized that formally there are no negotiations he and Boko are engaged with regarding AP.
“The UDC by its nature is in negotiations with all opposition parties. We were formed to where practically possible, bring together all opposition parties in the country and this is a mandate that we will not run away from,” he pointed out.
He said currently, there is no specific NEC resolution mandating them to undertake negotiations. However as UDC members, he indicated that they have an obligation like any other to grow the organisation by encouraging others to be part of it. Mohwasa further said the UDC discussed a number of activities that are lined up for implementation amongst those intensifying its unity initiatives with other opposition parties in preparation for the 2024 General Election as per its strategic plan.