Mabaila is Mokoko wa Domkrag

Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) youthful member Tshepang Mabaila has backtracked on his initial decision to rally behind his party and has decided to contest for Mogoditshane Constituency again. This is despite the apology he recently made to pull-off from contesting as an independent.  Speaking to The Midweek Sun Mabaila said he was played by someone from the leadership of the party. “I was told that when I withdraw my candidacy from IEC and call a press conference the President will lift my suspension from the party,” said Mabaila. He said to his shock upon following the matter up, he was told by a senior member of the central committee and Vice President Slumber Tsogwane that President Mokgweetsi Masisi knew nothing about the apology letters he made. “I then decided to contest as Mokoko wa Domkrag because I will never join any party. I was born a BDP and will die a BDP member,” says Mabaila. He says he has nothing against President Masisi and is adamant the president did not plot his downfall. “It was deliberately done by one man whom I cannot mention. He planned my downfall to replace me with Chillyboy Rakgare.” Frustrated Mabaila said despite all the divisive stunts, he will always respect and honour President Masisi as the leader of the country. He said he submitted apology letters to Tsholetsa house, Office of the President and the other to Chairman of Communications and International Relations Banks Kagelelo Kentse.Reached for comment about Mabaila’s decision, BDP Parliamentary candidate for Mogoditshane, Rakgare said there is nothing like ‘Mokoko wa BDP’ and that he is not amused by the decision. “I would not want to comment much about anyone’s candidacy as Botswana is a democratic state, by that everyone is free to contest. But for someone to say he is contesting as BDP mokoko is utter rubbish and criminal, it is purely soliciting votes ka boherehere,” said Rakgare. Rakgare said that BDP is an oiled machine and ready to win Mogoditshane constituency. “The country was a mess because of those kinds of people and their friends, who hate the party president, we are running a clean campaign with clean money,” said Rakgare. Asked about Mabaila’s letters, Chairman of Communications and International Relations Kentse, said he received an apology letter from Mabaila but it was an unofficial letter. “He gave me the letter as Banks, not as the BDP chairman of Communications,” he said.  Mabaila was slapped with a five-year suspension by BDP national disciplinary committee for allegedly influencing some BDP Members of Parliament (MPs) to pass a motion of no confidence against Masisi.