BNF's big brother mentality rocks UDC
The Botswana National Front (BNF) has been accused of adopting a 'big brother' approach within the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) following the coalition's victory in the 2024 General Election.
The BNF, which is a contracting partner with the Alliance for Progressives (AP) and the Botswana People's Party (BPP), is the largest constituent in terms of Members of Parliament and Councillors.
While differences have been swept under the carpet, a new storm is brewing within the party as UDC Direct members have demanded answers from the leadership and intervention from President Duma Boko.
The members argue that they have been mistreated by other coalition members, especially from the BNF. The upcoming Sefhophe bye-election preparations have triggered the UDC Direct Members to let the cat out of the bag.
Members have expressed their frustrations and the level at which they have been treated in preparations for the by-election, especially the selection of a candidate for the UDC ahead of the election billed for October 17th 2026 and the ultimate elbowing out of the ward by the BNF.
The Sefhophe Ward council seat became vacant following the passing of UDC Councillor Christopher Motsholapheko. The by-election is scheduled for 17 October 2026, with nominations set to take place on Wednesday this week.
UDC Direct members, commonly referred to as UDC-DM, petitioned President Boko and questioned this dramatic turn of events.
'We respectfully request your urgent intervention and clarification on the following matters: What is the official status of the resolution submitted by the Sefhophe Ward Committee to the UDC office? Why was the Sefhophe Ward Committee not formally responded to after submitting its resolution?
On what basis was it communicated that there was no UDC candidate in Sefhophe without first consulting the Sefhophe Ward Committee and UDC Direct Members? Why was the invitation for the meeting of 17 September 2026 issued by the BNF Secretary General rather than the UDC Executive Secretary?
Was the meeting of 17 September 2026 an official UDC meeting or a BNF meeting? If it was an official UDC meeting, why were UDC Direct Members not represented? What is the official UDC procedure for resolving the disagreement concerning the Sefhophe Ward candidate?'
During the 2024 General Election, the Sefhophe Ward was contested by the late Motsholapheko through direct membership, as he joined the party from the BCP. Contesting through a Direct Membership first occurred following the exit of the Botswana Congress Party (BCP) from the coalition.
The BCP exited the coalition after a fallout with the BNF, arguing that Boko ran the UDC as his solo project. When the BCP announced its exit and the expulsion of its five (5) MPs who defied a BCP instruction not to attend a Parliamentary caucus meeting sanctioned by Boko, the UDC leader then announced that the BCP MPs and councillors who remained within the UDC would not be subjected to any primary elections and would contest the 2024 general election as Direct Members.
The same scenario occurred in early 2024 when the Botswana Patriotic Front (BPF) also pulled out of the UDC, citing bullying by the BNF in constituency and ward allocation. Boko announced the same arrangement. Sefhophe Ward was then represented by a UDC-DM. Sefhophe falls under Mmnadinare Constituency, which was initially allocated to the BPF prior to its exit.
There have been concerns post 2024 general elections that the BNF targets wards and constituencies currently held by UDC-DMs in its efforts to consolidate power.
Through its official Facebook page, the UDC on the 27th July 2026, announced the passing of councillor Motsholapheko and indicated that he was a Direct Member and called on all member parties and Direct Members to stand with the family.
Following the issuance of the election writ by the Minister of Local Government and Traditional Affairs, Ketlhalefile Motshegwa, the UDC Direct Members in Sefhophe, through the Ward Committee, convened a meeting to deliberate on the forthcoming by-election.
This publication is in possession of records, amongst them minutes and resolutions, which reveal that the Ward Committee considered the matter, nominated a candidate and adopted a resolution. The resolution arising from that meeting was submitted to the UDC office.
While awaiting response from the Executive Secretary, Dr Patrick Molutsi, the BNF convened a meeting on the 17th September 2026 to deliberate on the issue of a candidate. What has annoyed the Direct Members was that they were never consulted on the matter, even though they had already identified a candidate by the name of Rudolf Motsholapheko, who is a UDC-DM.
The BNF Secretary General Dr Stephen Modise wrote a letter to all contracting partners and BNF structures within the MASEBO region indicating that a meeting be convened as there is a dispute over a candidate and that the meeting be held in conjunction with UDC affiliates.
Sources revealed that the atmosphere was tense at that controversial meeting, which was said to be strictly for BNF only, while UDC-DMs were denied the opportunity to engage.
Only Thabiso Galebotse and Bobby Reetsang were presented as candidates who expressed interest, and following consultations, it was agreed by consensus that Galebotse would be the UDC candidate. The meeting was addressed by BNF Treasurer Arafat Khan, who is also MP for Molepolole North, alongside Johannes Motsamai.
The Direct Members have contended that they have consistently participated in UDC activities, including: Mobilisation; Campaigns; Rallies; House-to-house activities; and Other programmes aimed at strengthening the coalition.
“We therefore believe that when matters directly affecting UDC Direct Members and areas in which they have been organising arise, we should not simply be bypassed,” they maintained.
These developments have opened old wounds as the Direct members are now fed up and some have threatened to seek new political homes if the UDC National Executive Committee (NEC) does not urgently address their issues. They argue that they have endured the pain of being sidelined only to be recognised when it suits some people within the UDC.
A war of words has also erupted in one of the UDC's major WhatsApp groups- SEBOKA- where Direct Members are accused of causing havoc and destabilising the movement. They are being challenged to bring their grievances to the UDC Office, BNF Office, and NEC, not to Facebook tabloids.
They have been threatened that they will be held responsible should the UDC lose the Sefhophe by-election. There has been concern that the UDC-DMs have contributed positively to the UDC victory after they left their parties, especially BCP and BPF, to vote for the UDC, but are now not recognised as a critical party of the UDC.
Sources have revealed that the UDC-DM demands include representation in the UDC NEC, among other things.
'Money was collected from the UDC Direct Members Council candidates with the impression that they are for processing membership cards, but even up to now we haven't received the cards. The amount was P2500.00 per ward, which was to hold primary elections, the amount totals to P16000.00.
All Councillors were made to pay P2500.00 affiliation fees, given the impression that the amount would be for covering costs for Primary and general elections but no assistance was received from the office. Candidates were made to contribute P1000.00 towards the election fund; and they never received assistance from the office,' a source revealed.
According to sources, the current tension has prompted members to seek audience with UDC National Chairman Motlatsi Molapisi and Vice President Ndaba Gaolathe to clarify their standing as the constituents of the UDC- whether they are only needed for votes and cannot contest in any of the constituencies or wards.
The Sefhophe expose has also sparked debate and anxiety that the BNF might target Nkange and Selibe-Phikwe West, which the UDC lost in 2024, where it was represented by Direct Members Never Tshabang and current Speaker of the National Assembly, Dithapelo Keopratese.
UDC Chairman Molapisi acknowledged having heard about the issue but indicated that it has not reached him officially. Molapisi expressed concern about how the issue of Direct Membership is turning out.
'This is a hot potato, and we will have to address it in the shortest possible time before it explodes. The challenge is that when it was announced, it was never indicated how that special arrangement will last. It has proved to be a challenge, especially at ward level, but we have to attend to it,' Molapisi conceded.
Molapisi is worried that this happens when it is still to be discussed whether the affiliates should disband and form one political entity or the current arrangement should continue.
While there are calls for Direct Members to join other contracting partners, the UDC at its head office continues to produce cards for Direct Membership. In the SEBOKA WhatsApp group, some
members have called for instructions to be issued for Direct Members to join contracting partners or risk their wards and constituencies being targeted and wrestled from them.
The debates further called for contracting parties not to enable the Umbrella model of parties’ cooperation to transform into a party.