UDC's Ramogapi dismisses BDP's Mabogo in the race for Palapye
The Member of Parliament for Palapye, Onneetse Ramogapi is not bothered by the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) parliamentary candidate Kungo Mabogo, whom he dismissed as a stranger to the people of Palapye.
Ramogapi said the BDP by-elections that were held in Mmaphula East are a clear indication of what is to play out in the upcoming elections, adding that the BDP has fielded a person who is not sellable to the people of Palapye, as they do not know her even though her parents are from Palapye.
He told The Midweek Sun that people are being misled by the 'little noise' currently rattling the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) and emphasised that in the end, he will retain the parliamentary seat in Palapye. He says he has been lobbying for the rights of the people of Botswana, citing his calls for an Information Act, the right to land as shelter is built on land and the right to speak and be taught in one’s native language among other things.
He added that throughout his years as a representative of the people he has seen a reckless and dangerous attitude by the BDP, of withholding developments where they are not voted for, adding that even some in the Executive have before said in parliament that they would not take developments to areas where they were not voted for.
Ramogapi was speaking on the backdrop of a weekend where the BDP paraded Mabogo as a parliamentary candidate for Palapye. Responding to utteraces by Ramogapi, Mabogo insists that she is a native of Palapye and that she has always known that one day she would run for political office to represent her people. Her vision for Palapye is for the town to become an industrialised city as it sits at the middle of the country.
In her view, the BDP does not have any competition going into the next election, and she is confident that they will reclaim the constituency mainly because of the programmes that have been put in place for the country by her party.
In the last five years, she said, nothing has happened in Palapye development-wise, hence the town has no option but to change leadership. She believes that in today's politics, people have to be honest as educated people will eventually know the truth.
She insists that she grew up in a Palapye when there were only six wards but now Palapye has grown big that one cannot possibly know everybody.
“I have not seen the current MP anywhere in Palapye,” Mabogo said, adding that Ramogapi failed dismally to articulate a white paper to the people of Palapye.
She said that what the constituency needs is someone who will advocate for the people so that their lives may improve for the better.
Speaking at the Palapye star rally over the weekend, President Masisi urged the BDP’s rank and file to respect the choice of the Parliamentary candidate that the party has made for Palapye. He warned party members to desist from not supporting elected candidates lest the party be punished.
Further, he said that candidates that have been vetted out in Palapye must stop abusing them because they were not chosen. He urged them to remember that the BDP is an organisation run through rules and regulations. President Masisi wants the BDP to reclaim Palapye in the upcoming elections, and believes that this is possible because they have done all that they can to win back the hearts of voters.