Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly and ruling Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) Member of Parliament for Tonota South, Pono Moatlhodi has parted ways with the ruling BDP.
BDP executive secretary Sechele Sechele also confirmed the news to this publication.
“I can confirm that Moatlhodi forwarded his resignation letter today (Monday) around lunch hour. His resignation still pains me. I did not even eat my lunch today. We are talking about a BDP die hard, one of the longest serving members of parliament for the ruling BDP representing Tonota South constituency, we lost a loyal member,” said Sechecle.
Moatlhodi is joining Lentswelatau/Mmopane legislator Major General Moeng Pheto who resigned from the party recently citing irregularities that marred the party’s primary elections dubbed Bulela Ditswe.
“It is very, very true that I have resigned from the ruling BDP. Everybody knows the reasons why I have resigned. I have been pushed out by those who preferred other candidates than me. I have suffered and pained under the BDP and now is my time to migrate,” said Moatlhodi as he confirmed the news of his resignation.
“I have served the party office with my resignation letter around lunch hour (Monday). It is not yet clear that I will seek a political home from other parties but I can only say time will tell,” Moatlhodi said.
Even though it is not yet clear where his next political home over the last few weeks, Moatlhodi has listened to both Botswana Congress Party (BCP) and the Botswana National Front (BNF).
He is said to prefer the BNF because of the party’s stronger presence in Tonota, where BCP is almost non-existent.
Moatlhodi who lost to Thapelo Olopeng has since appealed the results citing irregularities especially the vote trafficking by his opponent. ┬áMoatlhodi lost by 2┬á196 votes against Olopeng’s 3 472 votes.
