BNF embarks on damage control in Mahalapye East
Botswana National |Front (BNF) has expressed confidence in retaining the Mahalapye East constituency, following the resignation of the area MP, Yandani Boko.
This past week, Boko provided fodder for political discourse when he resigned from Parliament and active politics, citing personal reasons. Following his resignation, which he previously dismissed as propaganda, the BNF leadership was forced to visit the constituency to address members.
The party, during the 2019 general election, under the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) won the constituency which has been a stronghold for the ruling Botswana Democratic Party (BDP). BNF Secretary General, Ketlhalefile Motshegwa stated that they have received the resignation with immediate effect of Boko as Member of Parliament for Mahalapye East Constituency.
“He has indicated that he remains a member of the party. We acknowledge his resignation, thank him for having served as Member of Parliament under the BNF of UDC. Whilst we had wished for his continuation as member of parliament, we respect his decision,” said Motshegwa.
He revealed that the writ of primary elections is currently running. According to Motshegwa, the primary elections will be held on the 7th of April 2024 and 13th April 2024, for those who have expressed interest, including in the Mahalapye East, for the October 2024 polls.
He said the party leadership has trust and confidence that BNF members will amongst themselves select a capable, credible and dedicated member who will represent UDC through a BNF deployed candidate.
The BNF Central Committee visited and addressed the constituency over the past weekend to motivate structures and people of Mahalapye East Constituency. According to the Secretary General, this was to inspire them towards 2024 general election, the focus and expectation being to win the Constituency, all its Wards and broadly change Government for a genuine democracy, equitable economic development.
Said Motshegwa: “The BNF remains a stable, united, prosperous party with sound leadership and passionate members, under a formidable UDC which is focused on liberating Batswana from BDP misrule and mismanagement of the economy which has driven the Country to a failed state. The most important thing is to focus on the problems created by BDP on the lives of Batswana and the urgent need to correct that through change of Government.”
The BNF is involved in fierce dispute over the allocation in some constituencies and wards. BNF is a UDC contracting partner, along Alliance for Progressives (AP), Botswana Patriotic Front (BPF) and Botswana Peoples Party.