Boko accused of meddling in BNFWL elections
The recent Botswana National Front Women’s League (BNFWL) elective congress in Letlhakane, intended to usher in new leadership, has instead become a focal point of controversy within the party.
Cinderella Molome was elected as the new president of the BNFWL, but her victory has been met with opposition from the previous leadership, led by former president Katlego Morolong.
In a press conference on Wednesday, Molome emphasised the importance of unity within the BNFWL.
“This is an opportunity to build a united and stronger BNFWL. We will shine a little light on issues that affect women within the BNF and Botswana. We will be the loudest on issues of GBV, advocating for education and skills development. We want to encourage and inspire women to take leadership roles in business and politics.”
Regarding the ongoing disputes over the election results, Molome acknowledged the appeal filed by Morolong and her team but asserted that the National Elections Board (NEB) had given her the
mandate to work.
“We will await the appeals board, but that does not stop us from working because we have been given the office to work in by NEB,” she said.
Morolong and her team have formally appealed to the BNF Central Committee that the elections were marred by irregularities. Their grievances include the absence of a verified voters’ roll, the allowance of delegates to vote without BNF membership cards, and the presence of unverified delegates from constituencies with historically low participation.
Morolong’s appeal also highlights concerns about the NEB’s decision-making process during the congress. She claims that the NEB initially decided to halt the elections due to observed irregularities, but later reversed this decision under pressure.
According to the appeal, “In a display of political thuggery, some forces within the organisation, who terrorised us at the Congress using the name of the Party President, held the NEB officials hostage and locked them in the hall demanding that the elections must proceed.”
One of the contentious points in the appeal is the alleged involvement of Cindrella’s husband in influencing the NEB’s decision. Morolong’s team claims that he contacted the Party President during the congress and handed over his phone to an NEB official, leading to the reversal of the decision to halt the elections.
In response to these allegations, Molome defended her husband’s presence and involvement, stating, “I do not regret that my husband was there to help me because that’s the nature of our relationship; we help each other.”
The appeal further alleges instances of vote-buying during the congress, with delegates reportedly receiving money and food parcels in exchange for their votes. Morolong’s team argues that such practices undermine the integrity of the electoral process and calls for the annulment of the election results. On the other hand, Molome mentioned that delegates did not have food, and some slept in buses for the entire weekend.
Despite the ongoing disputes, Molome has expressed willingness to engage in reconciliation efforts. “We need them; we will do everything in our power to work on the available reconciliation programmes, even if it’s people coming to mediate between us. We will be there. We will do everything we can to sit at the table and deliver with their support.”
The BNF is currently preparing for its Youth League elections and the National Congress scheduled for July. The outcome of the BNFWL leadership dispute may affect these events and the party’s overall cohesion.