Dr. Madigele to challenge 'weakend' Dr. Matsheka in Lobatse
Former Minister of Health Dr. Alfred Madigele has decided to bow out of the contest for Gaborone Bonnington South in the coming Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) primary elections.
The former MP took the decision after realising that he doesn’t stand a chance to win against incumbent Christian Greeff. Botswana Guardian learnt that Madigele, who has the support of some of the councillors, relocated to Lobatse where he is expected to face stiff competition from area MP, Thapelo Matsheka, also a former minister for finance.
According to sources, about six councillors are no longer in Matsheka’s fold. Dr. Madigele moved his membership from Gaborone to Lobatse in December last year.
Others expected to contest Bulela Ditswe in Lobatse are former area MP Advocate Sadique Kebonang, Elias Rantleru and Jomo Dithebe.
Dr. Madigele made Greeff unsettled ever since he moved his membership to Gaborone Bonnington South from Mmathethe-Molapowabojang where he was MP before losing during bulela-ditswe to current health minister Dr. Edwin Dikoloti. In Gaborone Bonnington South, Dr. Madigele was said to have the blessings of some of the party structures and some of the councillors.
Dr. Madigele confirmed transferring his membership to Lobatse Constituency. He stated that his roots are in Lobatse where he grew up. The former MP indicated that he cannot talk about elections as this will be in contravention of the rules and regulations of the BDP.
He said only time will tell and when the time is right he would be in a position to talk about elections whether he is contesting for Bulela Ditswe or not but stated he will continue to serve the party in any assignment given to him.
The BDP had been rocked by infighting in Gaborone Bonnginton South Constituency which resulted in various structures including the regional committee and Political Education and Elections Committee (PEEC) being forced
to intervene.
The infighting which started ahead of the Bophirima Ward by-election last year which the party lost, raged on and has compelled a need for the intervention of the Central Committee, as some believe that the regional committee is conflicted. The chaos was centred around the conduct of ward congresses and the presence of Dr. Madigele.
After the PEEC through its Secretary Kabo Morwaeng wrote to the branch regarding the wards and Branch Committees election, some members of the party in the area wrote a letter to the party expressing concern that congresses for wards were cancelled at the eleventh hour. The members who signed the letter dated 22nd June 2022 expressed concern that there are divisions, confusion and frustrations at the constituency.
They want urgent attention from the party leadership on the Bophirima, Mosekangwetsi and Marulamantsi wards after there was failure to hold congresses in those wards