The Botswana Patriotic Front’s (BPF) aspiring president, Moiseraela Master Goya has welcomed the return of party’s founding president, Biggie Butale into the party. While BPF spokesperson, Lawrence Ookeditse dismissed Butale’s claims that he is back as the party president, Goya said he was happy and does not feel threatened by Butale’s return.

It is reported that party patron and former State president, Ian Khama believes that Butale could calm the storm in the party and sway the organisation away from ‘unwanted’ Samson Moyo Guma.

Butale was suspended from the party in September 2021 following allegations of sexual misconduct, which he has since denied. While questions have been asked as to what could Khama’s backing of Butale’s return mean to Goya’s candidacy, the former Palapye legislator does not feel threatened and it would seem like Goya is convinced Butale is just returning to facilitate a conducive environment ahead of the congress. They hope he would be able to tame Guma who is said to be unwanted by Khama.

“I am aware of the return of our president (Butale) and I am happy about the developments. Our party has been having problems and I believe he is the right man to bring sanity and order. I believe he will make decisions such as postponing the congress so that we can prepare well,” Goya said.

Goya further said he believes it would be a good decision to postpone the congress as there are anomalies. “We cannot be allowing people to just come and hijack our party. I long wrote complaining about intentions to host the congress at Guma’s constituency while he is contesting. It is unfair. We have also learnt that our opponents have been going around registering people as delegates in areas where our party does not have structures. Such things need to be looked into before we can rush into a congress,” he said. On whether he was not worried that he would lose support of the party patron if Butale contests elections, Goya said: “I am aware that he intends to contest for presidency and I do not have a problem with that. I am confident that even after Butale reclaimed his seat, I will still enjoy support from the patron as has been the case. I am also confident that I will be able to lead the BPF to be a force to be reckoned with,” he said.

Butale on Wednesday hosted a press conference where amongst other things he announced that he would be reclaiming his seat as the BPF president. He said with the guidance of his lawyer, he was able to establish that lifting his suspension meant that he was back as the BPF president and he did not waste time to announce what would happen next. He said all planned BPF central committee meetings and any events would be cancelled; all those representing the BPF at cooperation talks with other opposition parties have their mandate rescinded. He also said he would meet all legislators and councillors. He further said he would call a central committee meeting for purposes of trying to take out the party from the crisis it is in. Guma would not be drawn into discussing Butale’s pronouncements.

“I cannot comment on party issues. There is a spokesperson for the BPF. I humbly ask that you liaise with him. This matter is best handled by him or acting president Caroline Lesang,” he said.

But Ookeditse dismissed Butale’s claims that he was back as BPF President.

Meanwhile, Lesang would not field any questions from Mmegi. “I am not in a position to make any comment about Butale and whatever he said at the press conference.”