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Francistown BDP Battle Lines Drawn |
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But Skelemani, Unchallenged, Will Sleep Easy. As the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) received names from political aspirants in Francistown,
76 people have expressed interest to contest the primaries for the ultimate prizes of 19 council three parliamentary seats. The Francistown constituencies expect bruising political battles between Council candidates on the one hand, and parliamentary aspirants on the other.
The BDP has probably raised about P92 000 in Francistown alone from the both council and parliamentary candidates.
The battle for Francistown South constituency, which is likely to be the fiercest, will pit four candidates together, all vying for Khumongwana Maoto’s seat. The four man battle will include Godknows Robby, a retired captain of the BDF, Wynter Molotsi and Bahadzisi Maripe.
Molotsi is the Francistown region’s Secretary who is also known to be a Kedikilwe/Kwelagobe loyalist. In the 2004 general elections he lost to Maoto by the small margin of 42 votes. It is understood that he has the backing of BDP councilors in the constituency.
The Francistown legislator will also have to parry another thrust from Bahadzisi Maripe, a businesswoman who is a lawyer by profession, who previously worked for the Attorney General’s Chambers and has also worked in South Africa.
It is an open secret in Francistown South that the first born daughter of the late Dr Knight Maripe, a former president of Botswana People’s Party, is one of the aspirants for the constituency. Contacted for comment Maripe confirmed that she was eyeing Maoto’s seat although she has not started campaigning. “I have an interest to stand for election in the area. I was born in Francistown and raised here and I am glad the constituents have warmly welcomed me,” Maripe said. It is rumoured that Maoto once accused her of secretly trying to oust him by campaigned before the party permitted the hopefuls to do sell themselves.
This year’s battle for Francistown South has the potential to stir factional wars in the constituency, party members said. In the 2003 primaries supporters of Maoto’s main challenger, Molotsi, who were bitter at their man's loss, reportedly did not vote for Maoto during the general elections.
One person who will sleepy easy during the primaries is Francistown East incumbent, Phandu Skelemani, who is unchallenged. The Gazette understands that no one has expressed interest to stand against the newly appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.
However it is understood that some BDP women had wanted the former District Commissioner, Ms Sylvia Muzila to challenge him following reports that a former teacher who was his constituency secretary, Anthony Chebani, plans to challenge former Deputy Mayor Rebecca Nshakashogwe in the Central Ward. The Central Ward is the heart of the city and now includes the Francistown CBD. Expressing his interest Chebani said he had wanted to contest the seat in the last general elections but was persuaded against this by Nshakashogwe as she had said she had a 10-year mandate to complete. “I gave her a chance and hoped she would honour the agreement. If the Central Committee endorses my name, then the race is on,” he said.
A three horse battle is expected in the Francistown West constituency where sitting Member of Parliament Tshelang Masisi faces serious challenges from former Francistown District Commissioner, Sylvia Muzila and nominated councilor Peter Ngoma.
BY NCHIDZI SMARTS
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