As the date for the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) primary elections billed for December 8 in all the 13 opposition-controlled constituencies draw nearer, there are complaints of unfair campaign tactics.

Kgatleng East constituency, which is dominated by the so-called Kwelagobe/Kedikilwe faction, is likely to be retained by an opposition party, particularly the Botswana National Front (BNF) if the factional wars persist. The incumbent Member of Parliament (MP) is Isaac Mabiletsa of the BNF.

In the coming BDP primaries, former MP Isaac Davids will try his luck again if he defeats the likes of current council chairperson Mpho Moruakgomo, Ezekiel Mooketsi and former Botswana High Commissioner to Kenya, Tebogo Nkwe. The battle, according to party insiders, will be between Moruakgomo and Davids.

Moruakgomo's supporters are accusing Davids of using unfair campaign tactics. Kgatleng East BDP youth chairperson Ronald Molokwane, vice chairperson Meshack Bogatsu and political officer Tsotsonon Lekorwe have complained on several occasions that Davids of using improper language when talking to them. They supported Davids in the last party elections but have since shifted their allegiance to Moruakgomo, who is associated with the dominant Nkate/Merafhe faction. Lekorwe charged that Davids bullied him when demanding to have the phone that he had bought for him during the campaign, returned.

"I told him that I don't support him any more. That's when he started insulting me."

Lekorwe argued that the person who should be complaining and demanding the cell phone back is Davids' wife, Banyenyi, because "she is the one who bought it for me, not him".

Lekorwe said he politely asked Davids to accompany him to his house and take the phone, but instead he (Davids) was uncooperative, so I still have the phone," he said.

For his part, Bogatsu who also claimed to have been insulted, said: "I was in Modipane on Tuesday with my colleagues doing party business when I received a call from Davids asking me to leave the place completely and go back to Sikwane where I come from." He said Davids wondered how come they were campaigning for Moruakgomo when they did not even know where he comes from.

According to Bogatsu, Davids also said: "E kare o saitse go tlhapa wabo o re o bapatsa Moruakgomo? Ke mang ene?" They said that they did not reply "as he is older than us".

Meanwhile, they have not yet reported the matter to the party headquarters, as they know the branch chairperson because he is still new, "but the chairperson of the south region, Gilbert Mangole, knows about this," said Bogatsu.

Molokwane and Davids, who are reported to have clashed at the Molepolole BDP congress, have resolved their differences, Mathubukwane youth activist, Ability Sefako said.

She suspected that since Moruakgomo is council chairperson, he might be using them to attack Davids, "as he would not want to be seen arguing with Davids in public".

Moruakgomo denied the allegations saying; "I have taught my team how to campaign and I have not advised them to attack Davids."

Davids is also reported to have told the residents of Oliphant's Drift and Ramotlabaki in a Kgotla meeting recently that he would plough for them free of charge if they voted for him. Sources said after the meeting, which was addressed by MP Mabiletsa, he (Davids) allegedly distributed loaves of bread as a way of campaigning. Moruakgomo, who was also present at the meeting, said: "Yes he did that and I don't know whether food handouts should be used to campaign." Moruakgomo said he would not want to violate the rules and regulations of the party by using unacceptable campaign tactics of speaking ill of others in public. He said people should not be enticed by false promises.

Commenting on the allegations levelled against Davids, branch chairperson Bathuel Ramorwa said: "I know about the issues, but I didn't meet them to talk about them." He said when people complain about unfair campaign tactics, "they should have sufficient information and make reference to the Bulela Ditswe rules and regulations. But I don't see anything wrong with Davids speaking in a Kgotla meeting as he also has the (democratic) right to speak." Ramorwa revealed that there is no clause in the election manual, which Davids is accused of violating, and "I have confirmed with the head office on the matter.

I do consult with them on every issue reported to me so that they can advise me accordingly."

When launching the party's manual guide 'Kgomo ya Motswana' in Mathubudukwane recently, BDP's Political Education and Election Committee chairperson Margaret Nasha advised candidates to unite to win back the constituency. In an interview with Monitor then, she said: "Anyone found violating the party's primary rules and regulations and there is proof for that, she/he will be disqualified from the race." She said even expulsion from the party could be not be rule out.

Davids and Magole were not available for comments at the time of going to press.