23 Oct 2016

Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) chairperson, Mr Mokgweetsi Masisi, has implored voters in Tati West constituency’s Kalakamati Ward to vote for the party’s candidate in the bye-election slated for Saturday.

Speaking at the launch of Mr Zibani Mbalambi on Saturday October 22, Mr Masisi encouraged the voters to make sure the party wins the bye-election for continuity.

He said Mr Mbalambi’s victory would mean carrying on the baton from where the late councillor, Mr Israel Samu left.

He said an opposition councillor could disturb the link as the area MP was a democrat.

Mr Masisi, who is also the Vice President of the country, implored the constituents of Mbalambi, Kalakamati and Sekakangwe to also canvass for votes from members of the opposition parties.

A member of the central committee, Mr Nonofo Molefhi said during the 2014 general elections, voters showed confidence in the BDP and that they should repeat the same .

Nkange MP, Mr Edwin Batshu pleaded with the residents, public officers and members of the opposition parties to rally behind the BDP candidate during the bye-election.

He further said his party would continue to develop the Kalakamati Ward because it was aware of the needs of the people and with funds permitting the construction of hostels at Maenjani Secondary School would be considered.

Okavango MP, Mr Bagalatia Arone dismissed allegations that he was bought into the BDP and explained that he joined the party because of its good governance.

Mr Arone criticised opposition party leaders of discouraging members from utilising BDP programmes while they (leaders) befitted from them.

Mr Farai Bonyongo, who was also welcomed back into the party after contesting the 2014 general elections as an independent candidate, said opposition party leaders had been trying to recruit him but he turned them down because he realised that they were confused.

Mr Bonyongo said parties under the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) were continuously fighting for members adding that this was evidenced by each party recruiting for itself.

The campaign manager, Mr Dikitso Mandevu thanked three other primary elections candidates who reached a consensus of letting Mr Mbalambi to represent the party.

Mr Mandevu also thanked the democrats for uniting even after the primary elections.

For his part, Mr Mbalambi pleaded with the residents to vote for him saying he would advocate for the building of hostels at Maenjani Secondary School and the road that connected the three villages of Kalakamati, Sekakangwe and Mbalambi.

He noted that the residents had denied themselves developments by voting for Mr Matebu for 14 years prior to the 2014 general elections.ENDS