Molapisi gives UDC two weeks to resolve BMD row

Botswana Peoples Party (BPP) President Motlatsi Molapisi has revealed to The Midweek Sun that his party will give Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) two weeks to deliberate on troubles plaguing Botswana Movement for Democracy (BMD). BMD was split into two factions belonging to Sydney Pilane and Ndaba Gaolathe at its recent bloody congress in Bobonong.

This has necessitated intervention by UDC an absolute imperative. Lately there’s been media speculation that BPP and BMD splinter group led by Gaolathe are on the verge of forming a new political party. However, Molapisi revealed that as an independent party BPP has been waiting for the UDC to deliberate on the BMD impasse but to no avail.

“Therefore, we will give UDC two weeks to make deliberations failing which we will make our position known regarding the impasse at BMD. No matter how long it can wait, UDC will have to make a deliberation positive or negative to either block at the end of the day hence our stance that they should do so,” Molapisi said.

When quizzed which splinter group he supports, Molapisi explained that it is not about which block he supports but rather doing what is right for the masses. The BPP leader is a known supporter of Gaolathe and his vice Wynter Mmolotsi. Political analyst Ndulamo Morima said that the two weeks ultimatum by BPP is in bad faith and a smoke screen to hide the bigger picture. Morima continued that as chairman at UDC, Molapisi had always known about the troubles at BMD but took his time together with his colleagues to normalise them.

“It is now surprising that out of the blues he is now giving UDC an ultimatum which is a clear sign that he has a grand plan which is at an advanced stage. By doing this, he knows that he will be justified to make legal his plan as he will have notified UDC of his intentions. Two weeks is unreasonable since the troubles at BMD have more than a year or so,” Morima said.