13 Aug 2014

President Lt Gen. Seretse Khama Ian Khama has urged democrats in Shashe West to shun candidates who defected from the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) after losing primary elections and were contesting as independent candidates.

Addressing a political rally in Mathangwane on August 12, Lt Gen.Khama said by absconding from the party after losing the primary elections, the candidates had indicated that they were in the party for their own selfish reasons and could not accept a decision made by majority.

President Khama said such people’s actions were a clear indication that they had been misleading Batswana into thinking that they had a heart to represent them yet they were only after their personal gains.

The BDP leader said he appreciated that it was not easy to accept defeat but people should always put the interest of the party first and accept the outcome.

He applauded the likes of Ms Angelina Sengalo, Mr Peter Ngoma and the others who did not leave the party after losing the primary elections on several occasions but rallied behind the party.

The BDP leader implored democrats to vote for the Shashe West prospective candidate, Mr Fidelis Molao and his prospective council candidates in large numbers and ignore the opposition and independent candidates.

He said he was optimistic that BDP would win general elections this year and in 2019, noting that the Botswana Congress Party (BCP) victory in Francistown West was by default as the party took advantage of the misunderstanding within the BDP.

Furthermore, he said the Francistown West MP, Dr Habaudi Hobona was going to be the first MP with the history of serving in parliament for a shortest period.

He noted that in the four year period left for him to complete his term of office, he would continue to work very hard to develop Batswana because when he took over in 2008, the world was faced with recession and could not achieve everything that he planned for Batswana.

Mr Molao encouraged the residents of Mathangwane not to repeat the mistake of voting for opposition councillors and urged voters to keep their national identity cards and their voter registration cards safely until October 24. ENDS