Botswana Congress Party (BCP) is expected to brief the Umbrella for Democratic Change National Executive Committee today (Tuesday) on internal squabbles and the ongoing BCP litigation against President Mokgweetsi Masisi.
The National Executive Committee is also expected to look into issues surrounding some members who are defecting from BCP to Botswana Democratic Party (BDP).
Some individual lawyers from the UDC have shared their displeasure at BCP’s decision not to invite UDC to be party to the proceedings of the case in which BCP is challenging the legitimacy of President Masisi appointment.
“It is not all about scoring mileage but it is for the reputation of UDC and not of BCP alone. We need to show voters that we are united in an every aspect. We all need each other to remove Botswana Democratic Party from power as evidence by what we did in Mochudi East by-election over the weekend,” said a UDC lawyer.
He said BCP should involve contracting partiers in the form of UDC to strategise and look at all the loopholes in the matter. The lawyer said it was important for the National Executive Committee to come up with resolutions on the matter. The insider said BCP should work with UDC in all matters of national interest like the current court case to avoid a situation where newspapers and political analysts make opinions that BCP is bolting out of UDC.
When asked to comment on the issue, UDC Spokesperson Moeti Mohwasa said they have not yet discussed Masisi’s case with BCP.
“There is nothing wrong with what BCP has done and we have not discussed the matter at Botswana National Front and UDC. There is still more time to join them provided we have common goal because honestly we are representing the people and we need to look at all possible ways to remove BDP from power. And for us to convene and discuss it, that will require the resolution of UDC. We haven’t discussed it at BNF and UDC because we felt that BCP has its own powers to handle the matter,” said Mohwasa.
BCP spokesperson, Dithapelo Keorapetse said people should not be surprised when BCP handles litigation in the case because there was nothing wrong with that.
He said the matter was done on urgency and people should stop making unfounded allegations that BCP is reluctant to work with other UDC contracting partners.
“We still exist as a political party and people should not be surprised when we handle litigation as BCP and not UDC. We do make certain decisions as a party and expect our members and everybody to join us. Everybody is free to join us and we encourage people like lawyers, advocates to join as “amicus curiae” meaning friend of court,” said Keorapetse.
He said the matter before court which deals with the transition in appointing President Mokgweetsi Masisi was done in urgency. He said they will brief the NEC of UDC on Tuesday and share his party’s position on the matter with the committee.
Asked why the UDC is still not party to the proceedings of EVM case, Keorapetse was quick to say it was a strategic move and the expectation is that if the BCP loses the case then UDC will take over.
