Oliver Modise
11 March 2008
Botswana National Front (BNF) youth leader and Village councillor, Nelson Ramaotwana has been reprimanded by the leadership following his 'invitation' to party president, Otsweletse Moupo, to relocate to the Gaborone Central having lost the primaries in West.
Inside sources reveal that the party secretary general, Mohammed Khan, has written a strongly-worded letter to Ramaotwana, condemning his public announcement that could preempt ongoing party efforts to breathe life into the party leader's prospects for parliament.
It is alleged that Khan's letter angrily accuses Ramaotwana for being 'out of order'. Ramaotwana was last week quoted in the media 'volunteering' to make way for Moupo to contest at Gaborone Central where Ramaotwana was returned at the primaries unopposed as the BNF parliamentary candidate.
BNF spin doctor, Moeti Mohwasa, vehemently declined to respond to enquiries pleading that 'it was against his party policy' to discuss the issue.
"Even if it were true, I would not confirm," said Mohwasa. He shied away from the issue stating that it was an internal party matter that could not be discussed in the papers.
In a separate interview, Ramaotwana dismissed the reports as untrue. "I was with Khan on Thursday and he did not say anything," he revealed. He refused to discuss the issue further, arguing that he had not received any letter as alleged.
"I will check the party office. Maybe there is something for me," he said. Moupo lost in the first group of BNF primaries to Maemo Bantsi at his Gaborone West North constituency.
"I was surprised to see the issue in the newspaper when he could have consulted us through the party structures," said BNF activist, Davis Kau.
"If Moupo is coming to central, then comrade Sebego should also apply because it means it is open for all those that lost primaries," argued a supporter of lawyer Tebogo Sebego.
Sebego lost the party's primaries at Gaborone South to incumbent MP, Akanyang Magama. Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) executive secretary, Dr Comma Serema described the move as an act of desperation.
"He will lose again, and this time he will lose to us," declared Serema. He labelled the BNF president a clown arguing that the electorate at Gaborone Central is not the type to be taken for granted, as they would never accept anyone imposed on them.
BDP parliamentary candidate at central, Gomolemo Motswaledi also expressed surprise adding that he was eagerly awaiting the BNF candidate.
"Who ever the BNF choose, we should embrace their choice and enter the electioneering process,"stated Motswaledi.
Commenting on the issue, the Botswana Congress Party's Dumelang Saleshando said he was not threatened by Moupo's reported relocation plans but slammed Botswana's young politicians for developing a trend of making way for party elders.
Saleshando said he could not understand why Ramaotwana wanted to quit the contest just for Moupo.
"They never go out to participate on their own terms," said Saleshando. He gave example of BDP's youthful stalwart, Botsalo Ntuane whom, he said, bowed out of contesting Nata Gweta constituency because the party leadership wanted Olifant Mfa.
"He was booted out by the leadership and didn't even give a fight," said Saleshando. He said it was the same with his challenger, Gomolemo Motswaledi who fled Serowe North to give way to Tshekedi Khama.
"Why should he be the first to say 'as the elders please'," said Saleshando. "They see themselves as doormats for party elders".
"Moupo is not going to give me sleepless nights," he said. The BCP's secretary general, Taolo Lucas also joined the fray describing the BNF president as an obsolete politician.
"Moupo has lost primaries and moving to Gaborone Central may cause him further embarrassment," he said.
If Moupo contested at Central then that is abuse, he added. "BNF is far behind in that constituency, and to revive its fortunes it needs a strong candidate and Moupo is not one," he advised.
He boasted that the BCP's Saleshando has proved to be a force to reckon with and advised that he needed a strong and credible challenger.
"Moupo has a crisis of confidence," said Lucas.
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