The Botswana National Front (BNF) intends to take disciplinary action against the recent Party Presidential aspirant Bucs Molatlhegi and his team for dragging the party before courts.
Publicity Secretary Justin Hunyepa told this publication that despite all this, discipline has to be maintained within the party all the time adding that respective structures will decide whether to take disciplinary action or not against those who broke the party’s code of conduct and discipline.
Hunyepa indicated that despite the recent events within the party there is peace and tranquility currently within the party which shows that party members may have smoked the peace pipe.
“There is a lot of peace and tranquility currently within the party which shows that comrades may have smoked the peace pipe,” he said.
The spokesperson dismissed reports that the Molatlhegi led lobby might be planning to form a new political party saying that is not easy to form such an organization in the country.
“It is not easy and possible to form a political party in Botswana especially that there is no party funding. It will be a costly exercise. The focus by all the BNF has shifted to unseating the corrupt Botswana Democratic Party and that’s what the comrades are working,” said Hunyepa.
He also said the recent Moselewapula ward bye election in Francistown is a classic example of how united the BNF is adding that the Congress theme has been lived to the fullest: BNF Unity Now, and UDC Victory in 2024.
When reached for comment, Vice President in the Bucs Molatlhegi lobby Dr Prince Dibeela refused to comment on the matter adding that he will do so at the right time.
Dibeela could not confirm nor deny whether or not there are intentions to form a new political party.
“I cannot comment on the matter, I will only do that at the right time, for now I prefer to keep silent,” said Dibeela.
In the lead up to the party elective congress held this year Molatlhegi took the party Gaborone High court seeking to halt the congress arguing that there are irregularities within the electoral system of the party.
According to court papers that were filed before the court, the members wanted the court to set aside the congress notice dated June 6 by the party central committee and also to declare it unconstitutional, null, and void.
They wanted the court to direct the respondent, which is the BNF, to take all necessary steps before the issuing of any notice to convene the 18th national congress per the BNF constitution.
“Through the central committee of the BNF and its national organizing secretary, in accordance with the BNF guidelines forward, constituency, regional, and auxiliary organs congress (guidelines), the renewal of the mandate of such leadership structures is obtained and that the central committee appoints a joint credentials committee to ensure free and fair elections,” the court papers stated.
The papers further stated: “Ensures the appointment through its central committee of an independent and impartial electoral body as an interim measure to lead change in the running of a pursuant congress with powers, inter alia, to register delegates.”
They want the party to appoint a crisis resolution committee for the internal resolution of election disputes according to the party constitution.
In addition, they wanted the party to allow new membership registration and renewal of existing membership in the lead-up to the national congress and stipulate that no such registration shall be interrupted.
