BNF members push for major Govt shake-up

Botswana National Front (BNF) members have told the party leadership they want full control of government now that they are in power, insisting this must be demonstrated through concrete action.

They made the call during the party’s National Conference held in Jwaneng over the President’s Holidays. BNF is in a coalition government with the Alliance for Progressives (AP) and Botswana People’s Party (BPP).

The message from the different regions was clear: the government must completely overhaul the system and prove that the UDC is in control and the BNF has to lead the pack as the biggest contributor during the 2024 national election victory.

With 25 elected Members of Parliament and over 300 Councillors, the BNF members want the party to take charge.

Members have called for cadre deployment across Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) where they can drive the agenda of the UDC.

Some argued that the BNF as the biggest player within the UDC has not done enough to deploy its members as compared to other contracting partners.

If information reaching this publication is anything to go by the UDC is expected to make a major shake-up by the end of this year in government leadership positions as some contracts will be coming

to an end.

The BNF is expected to hold a Special Policy Conference in October to align the party’s policies with government business to ensure government runs and pushes the party’s policies.

At the height of their concerns, BNF members have raised the issue of direct membership of the UDC especially by the incumbent MPs and Councillors.

Members argued that the MPs and Councillors have to be affiliated to the contracting parties, an issue many believe should be treated with sensitivity as it has the potential to destabilise the coalition and by extension, the government.

The direct membership was announced by UDC President Duma Boko when the current main opposition the Botswana Congress Party (BCP) exited the UDC in 2023.

It was provided that BCP members who remain would not be subjected to primary elections ahead of the 2024 general election. The same gesture was accorded the Botswana Patriotic Front (BPF) when the then President Mephato Reatile announced in April 2024 that they have decided to leave the UDC.

BNF members have urged that the Secretary General’s post be professionalised as a staff position rather than filled through election. Advocates say this would ensure impartiality and strengthen party programmes, while critics caution that removing political accountability could have unintended consequences.

BNF members have demanded stricter scrutiny of participants at elective congresses, proposing that only those with at least two years of party membership be allowed as delegates. They argue that some delegates are vulnerable to being bought to support and vote for certain individuals, a practice that undermines the integrity of the process.

They also called for deployment of cadres to start at local authorities than at ministerial level, as councils are close to the people and know the needs of the communities than the ministries. A concern was raised that ministries release Savingrams on deployments and recruitment of people without engaging councils.

The BNF Central Committee is expected to deliberate on the issues raised and decide on them.