The factional fights within the opposition Botswana Patriotic Front ( BPF) this week brought the party machinery to a standstill.

Not only has the faction aligned to founder and former President Ian Khama suspended party president Biggie Butale, but it has also shifted the goal posts for him to take any action including seeking redress in courts of law.

In his bid to continue stamping his authority, Butale has since resorted to seeking redress in court, taking legal action against the 11- member cohort aligned to former president Ian Khama. Indications are there will never be stability in the party even in the event that Butale wins, as has been the case after his presidential legitimacy was confirmed by the high court in April.

Following his joint suspension with Secretary for Education, Reitumetse Aphiri - which they termed as unconstitutional, on Tuesday Butale through his Attorneys of record Rammika, Tafa Attorneys at Law wrote a letter titled, ‘ EXPLORATION OF AMICABLE SOLUTION TO AVOID LITIGATION – YOURSELVES’’ to his colleagues including, Mephato Reatlile, Dr. Ian Khama, Tshekedi Khama, Motswasele Kganetso, Lazarus Lekgoanyana, Amogelang Mokwena, Prince Bosilong, Dr. Malefho Kolaatamo, Lawrence Oookeditse, Moiseraela Goya and Ford Moiteela.

Part of the letter reads, “On the 5th June 2023 yours, through one Mephato Reatile purporting to be the acting president of the BPF issued the following correspondences; A letter to Butale purportedly suspending him as a result of a resolution reached at an NEC meeting of the 5th June 2023.”

Butale argues that the resolutions issued at the purported meeting were firstly, held without involvement of the BPF President in that he did not call a meeting, secondly, there was no requisite notice issued per constitution.

“All members of the NEC are aware of the judgement issued by high court on the 26th of April 2023. You are forewarned that the above is contemptuous directly of the constitution of the BPF. Having considered the above, our wishes to notify yours, that an application shall be prepared by herein instructed attorneys and shall be lodged today, 6th June 2023, in the event that an amicable solution is not reached or yours truly does not get a letter in writing retracting the purported suspensions and undertaking to oblige with the court order and the constitution of the BPF. Specifically, those NEC meetings shall be called by the person holding authority to do so- that being the president Biggie Butale.

“Your response on the above must be on or before 12; 00 hrs today, 6th June 2023, at which point legal proceedings shall be lodged against yourselves and costs therein shall be sought at a punitive scale by virtue of blatant disregard to the letter of the party constitution as well as an order of court.”

On the same day, Reatile responded, “In the interest of the party unity, the NEC is available to meet on Monday, 12th June 2023 and hear your amicable solution proposal”.

Reports reaching Botswana Guardian state that in the best interest of the party and looking at plans which were already put in place, such as conducting the BPF primary elections in preparations for the by- elections of the vacant Serowe West constituency, Butale decided to seek redress in court as the primary elections where it is expected that seven candidates will contest have been set for tomorrow ( Saturday).

Butale attorneys are said to have filed the matter as an urgent application which has since been allocated to the Lobatse High Court and was to be heard yesterday ( Thursday). At the time of going to press, it was not known when the case would start. The case is before Justice Michael Mothobi.