UDC flops
Botswana People’s Party (BPP) Central Committee is said to have made a U-turn on the suspension of the Botswana Movement for Democracy (BMD) from the Umbrella for Democratic Change.When Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) National Executive Committee announced the suspension of BMD last month, BPP associated itself with the decision.
BPP and BMD have been close allies in the coalition following the split of the BMD last year. Although BPP President Motlatsi Molapisi confirmed that the suspension was a collective decision of the NEC, during its series of political rallies, the BMD on the other hand maintained that BPP was not part of the decision. The party argues that the decision was made by Botswana Congress Party (BCP) and the Botswana National Front (BNF).
According to information reaching this publication BPP has since proposed a meeting with BNF tomorrow (Saturday) to discuss the matter. The meeting follows another that was held between BPP and BMD recently regarding the suspension. The BPP central committee is said to have decided to disassociate itself with the decision taken to suspend BMD.
BMD has for long been fighting in the same corner with BPP and many were taken by surprise when Molapisi revealed that they have endorsed the suspension. During the Saturday meeting BPP is expected to inform the BNF that it does not support the suspension of the BMD. According to sources, BPP will also question the participation of BCP in the NEC proceedings while its membership has not been confirmed.
BMD Secretary General Gilbert Mangole confirmed that they recently had a meeting with BPP. Mangole however stated that the meeting was a bilateral one that they can have with any of the UDC contracting partners. He said he is not in a position to share with the media what was discussed because the meeting was internal.
BPP Secretary General Venter Galetshabiwe confirmed the proposed meeting with BNF. At press time Galetshabiwe revealed that they had not yet received reply from BNF. “We are not in a position to share with you what we would be discussing with our colleagues. Matters of bilateral are sensitive. There are issues that have to remain internal until such a time we believe have to be shared with the public.
So even after our meeting with BNF we might not be able to share with you what we discussed. “Some of the matters of course might border on UDC but we always want to treat UDC matters with the sensitivity they deserve,” he said.
BNF Information and Publicity Secretary Justin Hunyepa said he has not yet received information to that effect. He said all he knows is that they are busy with preparations for the Saturday rally in Gaborone. The rally will be addressed by Advocate Boko, Molapisi who is also UDC Chairman and UDC Vice President BCP leader Dumelang Saleshando.