The conflict has been brought to light through a letter addressed to the BPF's secretary-general, Lawrence Ookeditse, by Segadimo Legal Practice on behalf of their clients: Boatametse Nthobogang, Mmapula Tsholofelo Amos, Thabiso Tendani, and Rajaba Lekgaba.
The letter, dated July 31, 2024, reveals the dissatisfaction and confusion amongst these members about the party's direction and leadership decisions. They recount a series of events that have led to the current turmoil. The trouble, they state began on August 6, 2022, when the BPF’s National Executive Committee (NEC) met with the UDC’s NEC to discuss collaboration. During this meeting, they stated it was agreed that the BPF would join the UDC with equal representation in the UDC's NEC, and constituency and ward allocations would be determined following the Delimitation Commission Report.
However, they state at the BPF’s National Conference and Extraordinary Congress held on April 29-30, 2023, the party ratified the NEC's decision to join the UDC.
"The conference also resolved to take disciplinary action against members who defied party decisions and granted the NEC full authority to engage with the UDC. But the situation worsened when, at another Extraordinary Congress on September 15-17, 2023, a leadership crisis led to the expulsion of Biggie Ganda Butale and Moiseraela Goya for gross indiscipline. They were accused of disrespecting the National Congress resolution to join the UDC," they stated.
The turmoil intensified on April 7, 2024, when the BPF president announced in a media briefing in Serowe that the party had reneged on its decision to join the UDC, opting instead for a pact.
"The president of the party apparently held a media briefing where he is alleged to have indicated that the Party had reneged on its decision to join the UDC and wanted to have a pact with the UDC instead," the letter stated.
This announcement, they state was met with confusion and disbelief by some NEC members who claim they were unaware of such a meeting or decision.
"The said media report remains nothing but a rumour within the Party to the extent that the Party has not issued any Memorandum to date confirming the said purported decision of the National Executive Committee and/or the President if indeed that decision was ever made," the letter further stated.
The letter demands that the BPF clarify its stance within the UDC and submit the names of its candidates for the upcoming elections. It warns of legal action if these demands are not met within three days. The clients represented by Segadimo Legal Practice stress the urgency of the situation, stating, "Kindly be advised that we also hold instructions to institute legal proceedings to compel you to accede to our clients' demands should you fail to do so within the period aforesaid without any further recourse to you albeit at your cost."
This uncertainty could leave party members and candidates in limbo, with questions about campaign preparations and the official communication of candidate lists. Some BPF members have already decided to stand under BPF as the UDC president Duma Boko has made it clear that those who had already been allocated constituency and wards through the BPF could stand using the UDC ticket.
Ookeditse has since confirmed receipt of the said letter to this publication. He was, however, not in a position to state their way forward saying that he had just received the letter.
