Former Members of Parliament (MP) from the ruling party’s Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) have thrown their collective weight behind incumbent President Mokgweetsi Masisi ahead of the special congress in Kang, where Masisi is being challenged by Former Foreign Minister and Khama lackey Pelonomi Venson-Moitoi, for the Presidency ahead of national polls scheduled for October 2019.
The move comes amidst fears that Khama, who is travelling to the congress as a delegate of the Serowe West constituency will try to buy delegates and intimidate those especially from within the central district to support his endorsement of Moitoi. It is also feared that a number of BDP MP’s who lost primary elections are likely to face corruption allegations will side with Khama/Moitoi, who is being used by Khama to settle an undefined political score.
“We the former BDP Members of Parliament have been following the standoff between HE MEK Masisi and Former HE SKI Khama since it started. Whilst we do not have the full details of its origins, one thing we know is that it has become a very divisive issue within the BDP and nationally,” they said in a statement.
It contends, “Former HE SKI Khama’s support of Hon P Venson-Moitoi to challenge HE MEK Masisi for the BDP presidency has further deepened the divisions within the BDP and nationally just 6 months before the General Elections in October 2019. It is SKI who proposed HE MEK Masisi to Parliament for the position of VP of Botswana. It is Former HE SKI Khama who paraded HE MEK Masisi up and down the country before March 31 last year.”
According to the former MP’s, Masisi has made a good start as president of the BDP and the Republic of Botswana. It contends that he has particularly committed to the Vision 2036, rule of law, stakeholder engagement, poverty eradication, aggressive empowerment of citizens and the fight against corruption to mention a few flagship programs in his road map for the country.
It continues, “It is our collective position as former BDP Members of Parliament that HE MEK Masisi must be supported to implement his roadmap just as SKI was after he succeeded Former HE FG Mogae. This is why we call upon all BDP members to rally behind HE MEK Masisi at the Special Congress in Kang early next month. We implore all BDP members to support HE MEK Masisi to lead the BDP to the 2019 General Elections.”
This statement is endorsed and supported by;
- Gaositwe Chiepe
- Boyce Sebetela
- Kavis Kario
- Tebelelo Seretse
- Duke Lefhoko
- Keletso Rakhudu
- Charles Tibone
- Gloria Somolekae
- Rakwadi Modipane
- David Magang
- Boemetswe Mokgothu
- Khumongwana Maoto
- Ponatshego Kedikilwe
- Ray Molomo
- Leach Tlhomelang
- Neo Moroka
- Satar Dada
- Daisy Pholo
- Oreeditse Molebatsi
- Moggie Mbaakanyi
- Lesego Motsumi
- Thebe Mogami
- Ronald Ridge
- Sheila Tlou
- Frank Ramsden
- Shirley Segokgo
- Lesedi Mothibamele
- Johnnie Swartz
- Phandu Skelemani
- Moeng Pheto
- Michael Tshipinare
- Oliphant Mfa
- Patrick Masimolole
- Obed Chilume
- Olebile Gaborone
- Archibald Mogwe
- Jacob Nkate
- Odirile Motlhale
- Ambrose Masalila
