AWe are indeed going to approach the July 8 by-election a united lot and our unity means we are going to retain the Serowe

West constituency

fter months of the Botswana Patriotic Front’s (BPF) bitter infighting, the party’s executive leadership has reported that the meeting held in Rustenburg, South Africa (SA) last Thursday has attained total peace with factions choosing reconciliation.

Jwaneng-Mabutsane legislator Mephato Reatile, who was recently co-opted as vice president in the Biggie Butale-led BPF, last Thursday led a party of 12 as a top delegation to the neighbouring SA meeting. Patron Ian Khama, who is in self-imposed exile, was listed as part of the party’s special meeting. Khama’s supporters have been fighting for their leader to take over the presidency of the BPF from a properly elected president. Butale, the BPF president, had to run to court where he successfully defended his position with a ruling in his favour.

The BPF leadership struck a peace deal after a faction loyal to former president Khama twice postponed its scheduled meetings where it was alleged to announce the formation of a new party. In one of the aborted meetings pencilled for the Selebi-Phikwe a fortnight ago, reports were that the Khama faction had suggested the adoption of the Real Action Party (RAP) status so that it readies itself for the impending July 8 by-election to avoid anticipated registration delays.

Speaking to the elated Reatile on Saturday, he conceded that the Rustenburg reconciliation meeting was “very fruitful indeed”. He emphasised that reconciliation has been duly attained and the party will have to focus on the impending by-election and other political business as the country prepares for the 2024 General Election.

Reatile further conceded that as the BPF family, they have been aware that some disgruntled party members who could not take kindly to a recent court ruling that confirmed Butale as the party president, had concluded to form their party.

“We can’t deny those issues were there and now that is why the Selebi-Phikwe meetings could not go ahead because people valued reconciliation, which I can tell you has been diametrically attained. We returned from SA a united lot,” Reatile told The Monitor. Now, he says, whatever pushed people to seek an alternative political home, no longer existed.

As if anyone was in doubt, the visibly euphoric Reatile emphasised: “We are indeed going to approach the July 8 by-election a united lot and our unity means we are going to retain the Serowe West constituency.”

The Monitor has been informed that amongst the issues on the agenda at the Rustenburg meeting, was that Tshekedi Khama, whose term was cut short because of his absenteeism from the National Assembly, should be allowed to complete what remains of his term.

An inside source who attended the Rustenburg meeting hinted to The Monitor that in line with the views of the constituents, a suggestion was made, which will be left to the national executive committee meeting billed for today (Monday) to either rectify or oppose the suggestion for Tshekedi Khama to be returned as the party candidate in the impending by-election.

Questions were, however, asked further raising doubt if Tshekedi, who is also in SA, will avail himself as the process of nomination for the by-election will require him to present his documents in person before a returning officer.

Whilst there could be no other conditions that could directly disqualify Tshekedi as a candidate, the fact that he ran away from the law claiming harassment raises the question of whether the security organs will pounce on him when he returns. This is a question that was asked, especially to those who want him to contest the by-election and complete what is left of his term.

Efforts to reach Tshekedi were futile at press time, but Reatile in his attempt to address the issue of Tshekedi possibly returning as the party candidate, said: “I haven’t been to Serowe West, but some members have indeed been saying Serowe West is not an ordinary constituency as it’s associated with the Bangwato royal house.” He added that even if Tshekedi may not contest, the constituents would like him to have a say on who contests in Serowe West as it is considered the Kgosing area.

Meanwhile, in a WhatsApp interview with former president Khama, he told The Monitor that indeed he met with a delegation of BPF NEC and party MPs led by Reatile, “whereupon a number of issues relating to the party were discussed”.

Khama was hamstrung to reveal any details about the discussions other than that the talks were held in a cordial and united manner and that there were agreements on several issues.

The BPF president, Butale did not respond to The Monitor enquiries, albeit his WhatsApp indicated that he read the questions.