BNF power jostling at play

The corruption allegations against Member of Parliament for Gantsi who resigned this week as Minister of Transport and Infrastructure, Noah Salakae are a deep-rooted political war within the Botswana National Front (BNF), a key player in the current administration of the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC), Botswana Guardian has been told. When publicly tendering his resignation on the floor of Parliament on Tuesday this week, Salakae made startling allegations against his government and members of his party- the BNF a party he says he has fought for in the trenches for a long time. “For the past few months, I have lived under the suffocating weight of state sponsored corruption allegations.Driven by none other than the notorious DCEC Senior Officer who reports directly to the Ministry for State President Defence and Security. When a government body decides to target an individual, the process is swift and isolating,” disclosed Salakae.Salakae who has indicated that this has taken a toll on him was served with a summons a week ago to appear in court next week Friday. While others argue that Salakae’s utterances are his strategy to get public sympathy ahead of his prosecution, those close to the development have revealed that the matter runs deep into the factional wars within the BNF. According to sources, even the allegations linking Salakae to the awarding of the road tender might not stick since the tender was awarded during the past Botswana Democratic Party (BDP). News within the BNF corridors suggest that Salakae’s political ambitions was to contest for the BNF Vice Presidency position in the coming Elective congress expected in 2030.The position is currently held by the State President Minister, Moeti Mohwasa. According to insiders, there was no way Salakae could have escaped a political onslaught. This they argued, is premised on his long time hostile relationship with the BNF President, Duma Boko who appointed him Minister after the UDC victory in 2024. He has also been linked with the BNF faction that lost at the Palapye Congress. It also hinges on legacy issues especially his past alliance with the old guard of the central committee that was led by the former BNF Vice President, Dr Prince Dibeela which was not happy with Boko's leadership approach. This was one of the fragmented BNF Central Committee under the leadership of Boko where Salakae served as party Treasurer until 2025. The strained relationship between Boko and Salakae resulted in him tendering his resignation as treasurer which he later rescinded ahead of the Rakops 2018 National Conference.At the time, Salakae indicated that the Central Committee was not in control of the party but only Boko. This was after Boko sponsored the Conference including transportation of delegates to and from Rakops. According to sources post the Palapye congress, there has not been a rock solid unity within the BNF and some of the Ministers and MPs could be under the party intelligence watch to intercept any move that could further cause the party to be disjointed. The party has however on several platforms called for unity and respect among members. On the alleged notorious DCEC officer, Botswana Guardian has established that Salakae and the officer has a past relationship which made him a target when it collapsed.The officer is a cadre deployee of the BNF whom according to sources has political ambitions to contest in Gantsi. The officer also has close relations with the government’s political top brass. According to Salakae, the officer frequents Gantsi where he feeds partisan individuals fabricated information against him. Sources within the government enclave with experience in policy and governance have argued that the utterances by the former minister have far much repercussions on the UDC administration than meets the eye. They argue that Cadre deployment is dangerous. “It is a good thing for the organisation but it is also dangerous because those wielding power can use it against others. This will cause governance issues for the UDC. The UDC has to look at practical ways of running government.They currently do not have the fiscus to deliver on basic amenities or its promises," said a senior Policy official who did not want to be named. Leader of Opposition, Dumelang Saleshando says the allegation by the minister that he has been a target of state institution are very disturbing. He said State institutions, especially the DIS are notorious for harassing citizens. “His claims will be tested in court. If he is found guilty, he will have to serve his term. If it's established that the results was to persecute then the government will have to step down. It would have lost its moral authority to perform its duties and protect a citizen. We cannot have a government that harasses its own,” said Saleshando.

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BNF power jostling at play