18 Oct 2020

The Botswana National Front (BNF) has vowed to protect the integrity and gains of the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) project.

Giving an update of the party’s ongoing national consultative meetings and other matters on Friday, BNF secretary general, Mr Moeti Mohwasa, said his party condemned recent public spats between its members and other members of the UDC especially the BCP.

He said the party had written letters to all its structures calling for stern disciplinary action to be taken against rogue members.

“This behaviour and conduct is also within the party.  Our campaign for youth league and mother body central committee elections should be clean and comradely.  Structures are therefore instructed to immediately set up disciplinary committees where none exist, right from the wards to the regions and take stern action against errant members.  We cannot allow the UDC project and the BNF to be destabilised by indiscipline,” read part of a letter from the party.

Mr Mohwasa said a decision was taken to immediately shut down all UDC social media groups and asked structures to report any defiance of the resolution for further action to be taken.

He explained that there was no existence of a grouping called FearFokol since the BNF constitution did not entertain factions.

Quizzed on the recent leaked audio of BNF president during the party’s closed door meeting, Mr Mohwasa said the motive behind the leak was malicious and intended to dilute the positive outcomes from the meeting.

On the suspension of Tonota MP Mr Pono Moatlhodi,  Mr Mohwasa said the matter lied with office of the president of the party in pursuant with the constitution.

On the expulsion of lawyer and politician, Mr Gabriel Kanjabanga, the BNF secretary general said the former was no longer a member of the party, but was free to apply for readmission with approval of the central committee in consultation with his ward.

In other matters, Mr Mohwasa said the party’s congress, which was slated for July was to be held at a date yet to be determined by the central committee.

He said the party was still awaiting reports from regional structures following the 2019 general elections. ENDS