Botswana Congress Party (BCP) has confirmed that Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) Chairman also the Vice President, Mokgweetsi Masisi has failed dismally in recruiting one Kgoberego Nkawana who he intended to contest Selibe Phikwe East against incumbent Member of Parliament Nonofo Molefhi.
Nkawana was BCP Parliamentary Candidate for Selibe Phikwe East in the last general elections.
Nkawana garnered 3134 votes in the 2014 General elections while Molefhi won the area after he was voted by 3376 electorates.
BCP is of the view that Masisi wants to kill Nonofo Molefhi politically for daring to challenge him for the party Presidency. Molefhi is tipped to be a strong contender for the BDP and country Presidency in 2019.
“We are aware of attempts by BDP to recruit Nkawana. They have failed dismally. Masisi sent small boys who had just defected to BDP from BCP to recruit him. He ultimately met the Vice President and he refused to join the BDP because he is a loyal member of Botswana Congress Party,” confirmed BCP Publicity Secretary Dithapelo Keorapetse.
Keorapetse emphasized that the sole reason why Masisi wanted Nkawana was to use him against Molefhi in Selibe Phikwe East.
“His is a self-destructive scorched earth policy kind of political strategy which will fail. We are aware that he is in talks with some of our members in an attempt to lure them to Botswana Democratic Party and he is dangling state positions and money in the process,” said Keorapetse.
BCP Publicity Secretary encouraged BCP members to stay clear of BDP recruiters carrying bags of money and all sorts of promises.
Reached for comment Botswana Democratic Party Secretary General Botsalo Ntuane said the BDP will treat the matter as an allegation until it is proven by reputable sources.
“We appreciate that politics in Botswana has never been the same since 2014 general elections. In the process we get all sorts of allegations. As the BDP we will treat this issue as an allegation,” said Ntuane.
Masisi has been accused of poking his nose where it does not belong. BDP members said he is luring people from the opposition by promising them jobs under the Economic Stimulus Program (ESP). These newly recruited members are usually at the forefront of BDP campaigns. This development has also upset members of the BDP who feel left out.