BNF internal wars spiral into UDC Govt
The growing tension within the Botswana National Front (BNF) - a contracting partner of the ruling Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) - has the potential to disrupt the UDC agenda of service delivery, Botswana Guardian has established.
The BNF is a contracting UDC member together with Alliance for Progressives (AP) and Botswana People’s Party (BPP). The UDC assumed power after defeating the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) during the October 2024 General Election.
Ahead of the BNF July congress, the Minister of State Presidency Moeti Mohwasa is being accused of abusing the Office of the President (OP) and Government resources to push personal political ambitions in his drive to become Vice President of the party and later succeed President Advocate Duma Boko as President of BNF and the country when Boko's term ends.
The BNF which got a lion’s share in the allocation of constituencies and wards ahead of the 2024 national polls, also dominate in cabinet.
The party will be going for a crucial elective congress in Selibe Phikwe during the July President’s holiday. While its leader Adv. Boko will not be challenged, so far there are two strong lobby lists that are expected to present a fierce battle at the congress.
Key positions are: Vice President that will pit Minister Mohwasa against fellow cabinet member, Nelson Ramaotwana the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services, who is also the current BNF Deputy Secretary General.
The Secretary General position pits the incumbent Minister of Local Government and Traditional Affairs Ketlhalefile Motshegwa against Minister of Health Dr Stephen Modise.
For the position of Treasurer, Member of Parliament for Molepolole North who is also former BNF Youth League Secretary General, Arafat Khan will be up against MP for Mogoditshane East, Letlhogonolo Barongwa.
Observers fear that BNF factional battles are finding their way into government institutions, which will compromise stability and integrity of government.
Mohwasa is touring the country consulting Councillors and Tribal leaders on preparations for the National Development Plan 12. Insiders within the UDC find it surprising that the Minister of Finance and Vice President, Ndaba Gaolathe who is Chairman of National Planning Commission, is out of the picture on the consultations.
Mohwasa’s conduct is seen by some as undermining Gaolathe. There have been reports that some high ranking members of the BNF are devising a plan to topple Gaolathe from his position as second in command.
This could further polarise the UDC. As per the coalition arrangement the AP has been allocated the VP seat and BPP the Chairmanship. The grand plan if it succeeds, will adversely affect government.
Mohwasa has always been a close ally of the President both at BNF and UDC. Their association has in the past divided the UDC National Executive Committee (NEC). This happened after a meeting held in Francistown took a resolution to remove Mohwasa as UDC Head of Communication and replaced him with Motshegwa.
This was after Motshegwa defeated Mohwasa for the Secretary General position during the BNF congress. Adv. Boko reversed the decision saying it was irrational and the meeting that took the resolution was not constitutional as he had suspended the business of the meeting to be continued on another day.
Adv. Boko had indicated that Mohwasa had to remain in the UDC NEC for strategic purposes.
Botswana Guardian can reveal that some Councillors this week boycotted the meeting by Minister Mohwasa. On Wednesday this week MP for Molepolole North and most of the Councillors boycotted the consultative meeting called by Mohwasa.
MP Khan confirmed boycotting the meeting on Wednesday. “It’s true that myself and the 13 Councillors decided not to attend. We feel that it is wrong and clumsy to use state resources for party politics.
“It is ethically wrong, we have to be different from BDP, Mohwasa’s tour is meant to campaign for the BNF July congress. It is unfortunate that he is using state resources for BNF campaigns,” Khan said.
Those accusing Mohwasa are saying he altered the template of his programme in Molepolole to sideline the Council Chairman Ofentse Rankhibidu and area MP, Arafat Khan as they don’t appear in the programme while in other areas the Council Chairman or Mayor provided welcome remarks and the area MP gave the closing remarks.
The Minister is also accused of convening some meetings with Councillors after the consultative meetings to campaign. In Lobatse he is said to have convened Councillors at Cumberland hotel
accompanied by Letlhogonolo Barongwang, his Treasurer candidate in the lobby list.
According to insiders at the government enclave, the accusation regarding wasting government resources is made because most of the Councils Mohwasa is visiting have already completed their District Development Plans.
Therefore, his consultations are seen as a futile exercise to address people on a matter they have already deposed. However Mohwasa dismissed this claims saying the UDC has made a decision that they will not use the BDP NDP 12. The minister argues that the UDC is developing its own NDP 12 hence his consultative meetings. 'NDP 12 is not my personal project. We have to submit the
report to parliament by August this year,' he said.
Responding to a questionnaire sent to him Mohwasa said the purpose is to mobilise communities to start working on discussing what they want included in the NDP 12.
The Minister argued that the VP is the Chairperson of the National Planning Council which plays an oversight role. He said people cannot tell the difference between the Commission and the Council as stipulated in the National Planning Act of 2024. The National Planning Commission is a department under Mohwasa's ministry.
“I don't do the programmes. This is highly malicious. Kindly talk to the District Commissioners to ascertain what really takes place in as far as the programme goes,” he stated.
On issues of divisions Mohwasa said, “I am not aware of any such splits that you are talking about. Maybe your sources do and they can assist.” Mohwasa claimed ignorance of any boycott of the
meetings arguing that he has held only three meetings.
Khan, who belongs to a rival lobby list, says he has no problem with Mohwasa campaigning for himself or “his puppets but I am against the use of state resources on party politics.”
He indicated that they used to condemn BDP for this, and they cannot entertain it when they are now in power,
He added “In Kweneng (Molepolole Council) long completed the NDP and DDP consultations. We hope that those who have conscience will rein him in. The OP needs to be associated with dignity and integrity.
“I am also unhappy with the sidelining of the Council Chair just because he doesn’t support Mohwasa. He is voted by the people and he deserves to be respected.”
Council Chairman Rankhibidu could not be reached for comment at press time.