Botswana Movement for Democracy (BMD) councillor for Francistown West’s Monarch East ward, Rauboy Mpuang, has dumped his party and rejoined the ruling Botswana Democratic Party (BDP).
Mpuang confirmed in an interview with The Telegraph that he resigned from the BMD on October 6th and rejoined the BDP on the same day.
“Yes, it is true that I have resigned from the BMD and rejoined the BDP. I resigned yesterday (October 6),” said Mpuang in a telephone interview.
Asked why he has resigned from the party, he said “it is a family decision”, that has nothing to do with any misunderstandings within the BMD.
“There are no issues that forced me to resign. It was just a family decision that I rejoin the BDP. I have nothing against the BMD and those insinuating any strained relations at the BMD are wrong,” said Mpuang.
BDP deputy executive secretary, Lee Lesetedi, also confirmed that Mpuang has rejoined their party and his application was approved by the party’s central committee on Monday.
“It is true that he has rejoined us. His application has been approved by the central committee and he is now a full member of the party,” said Lesetedi.
Asked whether Mpuang would be allowed to contest the coming primaries, Lesetedi explained that the primaries have long been closed although the central committee has the power to allow him to contest.
“As far as I know, he has just rejoined the party and has not indicated any intention of contesting the primaries,” said Lesetedi.
However, BMD secretary general Wynter Mmolotsi said although he has heard through the grapevine that Mpuang has resigned, his party’s structures are not in receipt of his resignation.
“I have heard the talk and have been in contact with the branch as well as the region structures which indicated that they have not yet received anything concerning Mpuang’s resignation. Even the party headquarters has not received the resignation. In fact this is not the first time that news of his defection has reached the party although no formal communication has been tendered. May be it will come in the course of time but for now we are not in receipt of the resignation. For now it is a rumour and we will simple treat it as such until we have been formally served with the resignation,” said Mmolotsi adding that in politics it is always to be expected that as others leave, others come.
He explained that as organisation, they will always be concerned when some within their ranks decide to leave but it is their choice to do so.
