Inside North-west regional wars
The failure by the ruling Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) to secure candidates for Maun East is not a coincidence but a result of the longstanding factional wars of the party in the North West Region.
The party has never had peace in the region post 2019 general election. Businessman and former Member of Parliament for Maun East, Konstantinos Markus together with another businessman Reaboka Mbulawa were to go head to head during the party’s primary elections but have since been vetted out by the BDP Central Committee.
Out of the 61 constituencies, Maun East remains the only one without a confirmed candidate. Investigations by Botswana Guardian uncovered that the situation was inevitable, given the factional wars in the region.
The coming in of Mbulawa from Maun West through a membership transfer further stirred the infighting. This publication has uncovered documents where several complaints were made to the Party Leader, President
Mokgweetsi Masisi and Deputy Secretary General, Dr Lemogang Kwape against some members of the party in the region including Mbulawa and party secretary general, Kavis Kario.
Botswana Guardian has further established that financial muscle has been the power play in the region where various structures are said to have been captured by those with funds. The region is made up of Okavango, Ngami, Maun East, Maun West, Maun North and Chobe constituencies.
According to information that this publication has in its possession, Mbulawa was vetted out for using his financial muscles to control the regional structures and disrespecting various structures and by extension the party and its leadership. Markus, according to sources in the region, has become collateral damage in the removal of Mbulawa. Also party cadres deployed to the region have allegedly fuelled the tension.
“The two powerful men were all about financial muscle between them. Markus initially was not interested due to personal reasons but after being informed of what Mbulawa was doing, he then joined the race,” a source revealed.
Insiders have indicated that Markus was initially given the green light to contest, in an attempt by the party leadership to contain the already hostile environment. Fears according to sources were that if Markus is not vetted out there might be resistance from those who are sympathetic to Mbulawa.
Indications are that a neutral person should be fielded and the party is courting Gomolemo Zimona.
BDP Communications and International Relations Sub-Committee Chairman, Kagelelo Kentse stated this week that the Maun East constituency’s consultation process for Parliamentary Candidates is underway, and Democrats will be informed as soon as it is complete.
“The BDP remains proud of its internal processes and this process reflects our democratic dispensation. We are committed to ensuring a transparent and democratic process as we prepare for the elections.
“The unveiling of these candidates underscores the party's dedication to promoting competent and capable leadership within its ranks,” Kentse said in a statement this week.
Mbulawa has been under close scrutiny since 2021, while he was the regional chairperson after a damning report was written to the party president and central committee. According to a report prepared to President Mokgweetsi Masisi by the BDP’s Political Education and Elections Committee (PEEC) Chairman Alec Seametso, there is a trend by those who label themselves “Incoming parliamentarians” to capture structures in order for them to pursue their political interests.
“This is a matter of huge concern to the committee in which I serve as chairperson. The renewal of structures from cell level to branches in the North West Region has been filled with an outright disregard of the electoral processes, the code of conduct and in extension, the constitution of the party.
“The interim Regional Committee took a decision to renew structures in the region in which the employed electoral processes were not only undemocratic they were contrary to the constitutional provisions of the Botswana Democratic Party,” he said.
He explained that the exercise to renew structures included also the issuing of a BDP regional vehicle to assist in mobilisation across the region. It was given to Boitumelo Senombe who is the BDP Maun East Youth Committee Chairperson.
Seametso revealed that all expenses in terms of fuel are said to have been solemnly taken care of by the interim Regional Committee Chairperson Mbulawa. He added that there are accusations against one Baefesia Sango and one Mmoloki Sarefo of having harassed and threatened democrats who indicated that they were not supporting their preferred parliamentary candidate, Mbulawa.
Regarding Mbulawa, the Report reads, “what has become apparent is that the continuous infighting in the region and disenfranchisement of other democrats is influenced by the hefty expenditure of Mr Reaboka Mbulawa in what he has termed as his candidacy for Maun East parliamentary seat.
“It must be noted Mr Mbulawa’s membership transfer from Maun West to Maun East has been top of the discussion and dispute in Maun East. It has since been clarified coupled with confirmation that indeed his membership has been transferred.”
In the recommendations, Seametso stated that it is most important to set an example that those holding positions in the party are expected to be impartial let alone safeguard the interests of the party as custodians of the constitution.
He said the behaviour of Mbulawa, which includes his capturing of structures in Maun East extending to the whole region, warrants immediate expulsion from the party if not a five-years suspension. He indicated that it is most imperative to set an example through him that in the BDP there is order.
'Money does not buy its way through the constitution of the party,' he said, adding that the constitution of the party is its bible.
A letter dated March 8th 2024 to the deputy secretary general, Dr Lemogang Kwape states that there has been failure to follow established party electoral process in the election of delegates to the regional congress. According to the letter, there have been reports of inconsistencies, favouritism and lack of accountability in the selection of candidates which has raised questions about the fairness of the process.
“Transparency is essential in maintaining trust and credibility within our party, and it is imperative that all members have confidence in the integrity of our nomination and selection procedures.
“The lack of transparency in this process undermines the democratic principles that our party stands for and could damage the reputation of the Botswana Democratic Party,” the letter reads.
The letter, authored by one Tebogo Boalotswe, further states that it has come to his notice that there have been reports of coercion and intimidation tactics being utilised by certain members in senior party positions, specifically by the National Youth Wing Executive Committee Chairperson, Councilor Collen Mochotlhi. He said numerous youth within the branch have given account of phone calls they received from the NYEC Chairperson insisting that they support certain democrats over others.
“In some instances, even declaring to them that he will fight tooth by nail (sic) to ensure he destroys my political career. This shall be backed up by oral confections should a need arise. It has come to my attention that a letter I addressed to the Secretary General concerning a matter of misconduct involving another democrat has been leaked to the media.
“Not only was this breach of confidentiality distressing, but what is even more concerning is that a response to my letter, which I have not yet received from the Secretary General, was also made public without my knowledge.”
Another letter dated April 2024 accuses secretary general Kavis Kario of having been canvassing for support for a specific lobby group and even went as far as intimidating voters during the regional congress. According to the letter, the deployment of member of the central committee to the region has resulted in conflicts of interest and compromised decision making. Kario is accused of having personal interest in the region as he has interest
in contesting for a Parliamentary seat and supported a lobby list that will ensure that his political ambitions are met.
President Mokgweetsi Masisi has recently revealed that the party will vet out people who are ill-mannered and put the name of the party in disrepute.
“We will be closely scrutinising every candidate. When we establish that your behaviour has not been in line with the ideals of the party we will stop you right there. We will take your money and use it to run the affairs of the party.
“As for you, we will stop you there while it is still early so that you sort yourself out. We cannot take the risk of having the image of our party tarnished further,” Masisi said when addressing a star rally in Goodhope.