04 Apr 2016

Mr Peter Nare of the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) and Mr Uyapo Nyeku of Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) will contest the Phillip Matante East bye-election on April 23.

In an interview after nominations on Friday, the returning officer, Ms Opelo Gabatshwane confirmed that Mr Nare and Mr Nyeku were candidates for the bye-election. 

Ms Gabatshwane said nominations went well given that they did not encounter any challenges throughout the process.

The council seat fell vacant following the death of Mr Shadreck Nyeku in January this year.

The councillor, who had won the ward under the UDC ticket, passed away after short illness.

Meanwhile, when launching Mr Nyeku as the UDC council candidate on Saturday, UDC secretary general, Mr Wynter Mmolotsi urged members of both his party and the Botswana Congress Party (BCP) to ensure that the UDC retains the council seat.

The candidate said if voted, he would ensure that the city council repaired and maintained internal roads in the ward. 

He indicated that due to bad roads, taxi operators refused to transport people to some areas. 

He said among his priority areas would be making sure that street lights were working because most of them in the ward were out of order, hence resulting in crime. 

Both the BCP and UDC leadership attended the launch. 

BCP secretary general, Mr Kentse Rammidi, said mutual understanding between the UDC and the BCP should bring hope to the democracy of the country. 

Thus, Mr Rammidi urged those who voted for the BCP in the 2014 general election to vote for Mr Nyeku during the bye-election. Ends