Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) parliamentary candidate for Francistown East, Theresa Mmolawa, shocked multitudes of mourners who thronged the late UDC Secretary general Gomolemo Motswaledi’s memorial service in Francistown last week, when she publicly declared that the late UDC Secretary General was murdered.
Mmolawa boldly said that she is ready to die for her statements if the killers would also come to take her life.
“I am ready to die for Motswaledi. I am refusing to buy the story that our leader died as a result of a car accident. I believe he was murdered. I am not scared to say that and if it means being killed I am ready to take the bullet. If it means been taken to jail, let it be,” said Mmolawa, amid loud murmuring from UDC members.
Motswaledi died more than a week ago in what is believed to have been a car accident along the Ramatlabama road. Police investigations on what caused the car accident are still on-going. The UDC has also engaged its own experts to help determine the cause of his death which has been attributed to a car accident.
In a highly charged and emotional memorial service to honor the late Motswaledi, Mmolawa described the deceased politician as a hero who was in a liberation struggle to free Batswana. She further said that Motswaledi’s death would not stop or deter the UDC from its intent of ousting the BDP from power in the coming elections.
“Motswaledi’s death will not derail us in our tracks to win the upcoming elections. I implore all Batswana to vote for the UDC in the upcoming elections so that we can continue where Motswaledi left. He was a selfless leader who wanted to see all Batswana liberated. The blood of Motswaledi marks the turning point for the liberation of Batswana,” she said.
Mmolawa will battle it out against, Billy Buti of Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) and Morgan Moseki of the Botswana Congress Party (BCP) in the coming elections.
Retired High Court judge, Justice John Mosojane, who formed part of the convenors of the umbrella project described the late Motswaledi as a visionary leader and unique individual who was one of a kind.
“I had not known Motswaledi for a long time. I first got to know him when I read in the newspapers about his tension with President Ian Khama during his time at the BDP. This young man had courage which most of his peers did not have. He spoke with eloquence and clarity. He is indeed a great loss to this nation,” said the former judge, who has since returned to active political activism.
Mosojane also said that at one point, Motswaledi approached him and solicited his help to return the BPP members who left the party in the North East District.
“He believed that as a renowned public figure, I had the power and influence to convince many people who left the BPP in the North East to rejoin the party. He believed that such a move would boost the BPP which is an affiliate of the UDC,” he said
Mosojane urged UDC members to pick up the pieces and continue where Motswaledi left. He advised them not to dwell in the past but make sure that Motswaledi’s dream of growing the UDC was realized.
Motswaledi was buried on Friday in his home village of Serowe.
