The ruling Botswana Democratic Party is leaving nothing to chance in the forthcoming Letlhakeng West by-elections as the party leadership directed all cabinet ministers to lead teams to retain the constituency.
Letlhakeng West by-election follows the demise of Member of Parliament, Maxwell Motowane, at the close of the year.
Motowane won the constituency by a thin margin against the Botswana National Front, represented by Filbert Nagafela.
The same Nagafela will represent the BNF party in the by-election.
Besides the Member of Parliament for Ngwaketse West, Mephato Reatile, who has since been nominated the campaigns manager, President Khama has appointed ministers and their assistants to lead teams in various wards in Letlhakeng West.
The teams will alternate within those areas over weekends in a bid to retain the constituency which the BDP badly wants to win to restore confidence in the wake of recent by-election losses.
While opposition party leaders and their members descended in the constituency in previous elections, the BDP held back and the party leadership was criticized for that.
Taking heed of grievances, Khama has instructed that the ministers come to the party’s assistance and woo supporters in an anticipated fierce battle between the BDP and opposition BNF under its coalition partners.
“Recent by-election losses are driving the party leadership crazy and nervous. It thus becomes natural that President Khama takes the initiative and engage ministers who hitherto have not been actively participating,” said a source.
The Botswana Congress Party ousted the BDP at Tumasera Ward council by-elections while the BNF did the same to the BDP at Mmathethe.
The BCP will be contesting for the constituency for the first time at parliamentary level.
