Manyeneng and Watshipi both cling on to UDC candidacy
The Umbrella for Democratic Change is facing an internal battle incited largely by the double candidacy contention rife in some wards and constituencies across the country.
A source within the Botswana National Front (BNF) has indicated that some members of the BNF are not happy with the fact that after they did all the groundwork, the Alliance for Progressives (AP) has been given their spots even though they came late to the party.
Furthermore, it’s said that AP cadres are lazy and are not doing any groundwork as would be expected of any politician contesting an election. Phenyo Butale, who stays in South Africa, is cited as a typical example of an ‘absent parliamentary candidate.’
His absence in the constituency is said to be putting a lot of pressure on the councillors.
The Midweek Sun spoke to Helen Pushie Manyeneng, the Mmopane Metsimotlhabe parliamentary candidate. Although conceding that media inquiries and responses are the remit of the party Secretary General, she confirmed that she was appointed the area parliamentary candidate by the UDC.
Manyeneng said there is a list that has the names of official UDC candidates that has been released and she does not understand why Gilbert Watshipi continues to present himself as the rightful candidate for the UDC when “he is just a dissident”.
Should she win the constituency, Manyeneng plans to bring a lot of change as the area is lagging behind in developments, citing the case of Metsimotlhabe, where there are no tarred roads and no streetlights, while the place reeks of street children and school dropouts.
In recent years, she says there has been a gap between village leadership and the people of Metsimotlhabe. She envisions a place where the two come together to solve the problems and challenges they face.
In Mmopane she wants to tackle the high crime rate by getting government to create a platform for learners with blue collar jobs to thrive. She is worried that the area is full of school dropouts whose future looks dim and may end up in trouble with the law.
Manyeneng said that the situation in UDC right now might damage their chances at the ballot box but she and her team are working hard day and night to ensure that this does not happen. She remains optimistic as they explain the situation to people during the house to house campaigns. She suspects that she is being used as a scapegoat since she has not done anything to Gilbert to warrant this attack.
In response, Olebogeng Gilbert Watshipi said although he is not permitted to speak on behalf of the UDC, he feels duty-bound to respond as Manyeneng has attacked his character. He explained that the people of Mmopane-Metsimotlhabe have asked him to stand for elections.
Watshipi said that Manyeneng was running for elections in the Phakalane constituency whilst they were working hard in Mmopane-Metsimotlhabe to secure votes. He noted that he polled 5300 votes in the last election, a good indicator that the people in the area want him not someone that they do not know.
He asked rhetorically where the AP and Manyeneng were all this time when they were working hard for the party. Watshipi is adamant that the people of Mmopane-Metsimotlhabe have sent him.
He is puzzled that Manyeneng is campaigning while it was agreed in the last UDC meeting that they will go to primary elections to decide who will represent the UDC.
Watshipi is demanding a letter from the UDC and its leadership if he is in the wrong. He urges people to be mindful of the foundation of democracy which is listening to what the people want and doing what they want.
He indicated that the people of the constituency have petitioned the UDC and the Central Committee of the BNF however they are yet to get any answers from the party.
Watshipi also noted that UIDC president Duma Boko had indicated in his last press conference that a special task force would be set up to address constituencies where there are grievances.