BCP, Phage apologise to Batswapong

Botswana Congress Party and its former Councilor in Mmopane, Phagenyane Phage, have swallowed their pride and apologised to Batswapong tribe.

This comes after Phage made divisive comments about the tribe two weeks ago in a rally organised by the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) in Molepolole in Borakalalo ward.

In a statement co-signed by BCP Publicity Secretary, Dithapelo Keorapetse and Regional Chairman of Lentswe la Batswapong group, Oriah Jordan Phukula they said, “BCP apologised unreservedly to all Batswapong and Batswana for the utterances made by one of its members and former Mmopane councillor Phagenyane Phage at a UDC rally in Barakalao, Molepolole recently.”

The statement said the two organisations agreed that the remarks were prejudicial and potentially divisive. “The party and Mr Phage regret the perturbation, pain and discontent the remarks have caused not only to Batswapong but to other Batswana,” states the statement.

Phage’s remarks have caused social media backlash with many calling on the former councillor and the party to apologise for his tribalistic attacks.

Phage had said that as a Mongwato he knows that they hire Batswapong people to cry at their funerals. The group has since accepted Phage and BCP apology.

“Pursuant to its track record and policy documents on tribal equality and related issues, the BCP undertakes to further conscientise its activists and Batswana to be more sensitive on issues which may polarise us as nation and or prejudicial to other groups,” reads the statement.