Wards allocation disputes spark tensions in Tlokweng
Tsaone Basimanebotlhe | Monday September 23, 2024 12:12
The UDC candidates are supposed to be launched this weekend. Some BNF members are dissatisfied with the UDC’s failure to implement the recommendations of the UDC chairperson, Motlatsi Molapise. As a result, calls are growing for the constituency chairperson to delay the launch until reconciliation is achieved. Members are even threatening to boycott the current candidates. Tensions have long plagued Tlokweng, with some BNF members believing that their affiliate, Alliance for Progress (AP), has unfairly benefited at their expense, particularly given the AP’s poor performance in the 2019 General Election. They argue that the AP should not be allocated any wards due to its disappointing results. Additionally, accusations are levelled against the UDC candidate, who is also a BNF member, of showing favouritism towards AP candidates, partly because he has switched from the AP to the UDC.
Mmegi has learnt that supporters of Masego Segokgo, now a Botswana Congress Party (BCP) candidate, are prepared to vote for him if their concerns remain unresolved. Before defecting to the BCP, Masego had lost in the primary elections to Phenyo Segokgo, a UDC candidate in the BNF primary elections. The letter written by the concerned group dated September 9, 2024, reads in part: “It has come to our attention that some wards allocated to the BNF have been taken by the AP. The wards allocated to the BNF by the UDC chairperson, Molapise, were 10, while the AP was given two wards. Therefore, we request your committee to stop announcing the AP candidates who have not been allocated the wards. We ask your committee to inform the AP to make the way for the BNF candidates with immediate effect. The BNF candidates are ready to take over.' Furthermore, the letter requested the committee to tell the AP to remove their posters with immediate effect on those wards. Moreover, the concerned members requested an urgent meeting with the UDC constituency committee. The five wards that the concerned group is complaining about include Sefhoke, Lesunyana, Matlala, Letlapeng and Selokwana.
Currently, the AP has five wards and the BNF have seven wards. At the centre of the controversy is the report signed by the UDC chairperson, outlining how wards should be allocated. This followed Molapise's ruling on ward allocations in the disputed areas. In a recent interview with Mmegi, Molapise maintained that the wards must be allocated according to the UDC agreement and that parties may only negotiate amongst themselves. He cautioned that during their discussions, the structures must engage their members to ensure everything runs smoothly. In emphasising the matter, Molapise stated that he has given a report to the secretaries-generals of the contracted parties. The report must be implemented as it is. He pointed out: 'I was sent by the UDC to create this report; therefore, it is the UDC's report, not mine. All those who felt aggrieved should have appealed, but no one has appealed the UDC's report. The parties have agreed to it, and I don't expect any party to continue fighting for wards.' He further said the report is binding for all parties and must be implemented as is.
However, the BNF secretary-general, Ketlhalefile Motshegwa, said: 'I am home resting and Molapise handles those issues. Talk to him.' As for the Tlokweng constituency, the report says the AP should retain the Letlapeng and Ranfura wards and the BNF to retain the remaining wards as allocated by the UDC constituency committee. Tlokweng chairperson, Segomotso Marumo, could not comment on party internal matters, save to point out that the committee is meeting soon. Meanwhile, in Palapye the UDC report ordered that they share wards according to UDC guidelines of 60% to direct members and 40% to other parties if they exist in those wards. In the Gaborone Bonnington South constituency, the AP is to maintain both the Marapoathutlwa and Peolwane, wards as allocated by the UDC constituency committee, while in Gaborone Central, the AP is to retain the Village ward as allocated by the UDC committee and the BNF to move out. Three wards that were disputed at the Mogoditshane West constituency were allocated as follows’ Selaledi ward is to be retained by the BNF, Khudiring is given to the BNF while Tsolamosese is given to the AP.
As for the NKange constituency, they were awarded such that they share them according to direct member based on UDC guidelines 60% to UDC direct members and 40% to other parties if they exist in those wards.