The Central Committee of the Botswana National Front (BNF) met today to discuss a number of issues amongst them progress on Congress preparations. Below are some of the issues discussed and decisions taken:
 
The Tonota North By-Election
The Central Committee received a report from a delegation that went to Francistown to consult on the pending Tonota North bye-election. As you might be aware, the Central Committee met the Northern Region under which the Tonota North Constituency falls on two occasions. At the first meeting, which was consultative, the Central Committee was represented by Cde Otsweletse Moupo and Cde Moeti Mohwasa. Cde Mokgweetsi Kgosipula and Bashi Sengwaketse attended the latter one.
 The Central Committee did not take a definite position on whether the party is standing or not in Tonota North. The matter will now be discussed and brought to closure at the forthcoming Congress. The decision to take this matter to the Congress for a decision is meant to make the process inclusive and avoid a situation whereby Ad-hoc decisions are made when a bye-election arises. From the Congress resolution, the party will, when going forward, have a clear position on how to handle bye-elections in terms of how we deal with other parties.
 
The Boko High Court Matter   
Following the filing of an urgent application with the Francistown High Court by some comrades questioning Cde Duma Boko’s eligibility to stand for the presidency of the party, the Central Committee resolved to appoint Toteng & Company as its attorneys of record on this matter. The party recently made a decision pronouncing that Cde Boko is fit and proper to stand for election and it is this decision that is being questioned by the comrades.
 
The Modubule Issue
Sometime last year the party took a decision to take Cde Elmon Tafa and Cde Nehemiah Modubule to Court over the continued claim to being BNF members despite having been expelled by the party. In the spirit of giving room to dialogue and reconciliation, the central committee decided to withdraw the matter. After this decision, the central committee at its meeting of the 29th May, 2010 received an application from Cde Modubule to rejoin the party. Consistent with the provisions of the constitution, the application was forwarded to the Lobatse Constituency for further consultation with the ward. 
The Lobatse constituency has since written to Cde Modubule acknowledging receipt of his application for membership and has in the letter assured him that his application is receiving attention and that they will revert to him in due course.
Notwithstanding the above situation, the Central Committee resolved to appoint a Task Force to be led by Cde Mokgweetsi Kgosipula (Deputy Secretary General) and Cde Moeti Mohwasa (Information and Publicity Secretary). There will be two additional members drawn from outside the central committee. The Task Force will after meeting with the relevant structure and Cde Nehemiah Modubule present its report to the Central Committee. This is meant to bring about a speedy resolution of this matter and make sure that proper procedure is followed.
The Party President will also address a press conference on the 13th July which will be his last before the Congress.  
 
*Mohwasa is BNF Information and Publicity Secretary
