The opposition Botswana Movement for Democracy (BMD) has increased its Members of Parliament from four to five.
The latest addition is Shoshong MP Philip Makgalemele.
On Monday Makgalemele, who had previously dismissed reports that he was about to join BMD, confirmed to The Telegraph that he would officially quit the BDP to join the breakaway BMD.
“I can confirm that I am resigning from the BDP and I will issue a press statement,” he said
The Shoshong legislature is joining Botsalo Ntuane, Wynter Mmolotsi, Guma Moyo and Gilbert Mangole, all of whom former BDP members who were expelled by the party’s disciplinary committee after failing to come for a disciplinary hearing.
Makgalemele is understood to be resigning along with several members of his constituency. At the time of going to press, the identity of these BDP activists had not been identified.
Over the weekend, Makgalemele, along with Mogoditshane MP Patrick Masimolole, attended a BMD rally in Mochudi.
Francistown South MP Wynter Mmolotsi told the massive BMD gathering that the BDP had lost its popular appeal. He said under President Ian Khama, government has been privatised and is run by a family.
Mmolotsi labelled some BDP activists as bootlickers and criticised Khama’s leadership style as dictatorial.
Also speaking at the rally was Lobatse MP Nehemiah Modubule who expressed shock that the Botswana National Front (BNF) is furious over his association with the BMD.
Modubule said that he was kicked out of the BNF and as such the BNF cannot protest over his interaction with BMD.
“You are on the right path, by 2014 Khama and his cousins will be in the opposition,” said Modubule.
Modubule dismissed government’s Ipelegeng programme as slavery, arguing that employees were paid below the minimum wage.
“This is an insult,” he said.
He urged BMD leaders to take their party to the people and argued against protesting over BDP’s abuse of the state radio and TV.
“You must work hard, go to the people and don’t cry for the state radio and TV.”
