The new Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) secretary general, Thato Kwerepe has denied claims that he has been earmarked to chair the North West District Council (NWDC).

He said at a press conference in Tlokweng yesterday that though he has been nominated as councillor in the NWDC, he is not aware that he is being prepared to become the council chairman.

Kwerepe wanted to become Ngami MP but lost the BDP primary elections to former cabinet minister Jacob Nkate. However, he has been consoled with the nomination as a councillor. Besides Kwerepe, other notable BDP figures who have to cool their heels in councils are central committee additional member, Leach Tlhomelang; former Chobe District Council chairman, Ronald Shamukuni; BDP culture and publicity committee members Kabo Sebele and Shima Monageng; Tswapong North branch chairman Victor Malete; and former youth leader Kefentse Mzwinila. Church leader Reverend Rupert Hambira has also been roped in as a specially elected councillor in Gaborone. Local actor and BDP official driver, John Mazabathi Mokandla has also been given the nod. Of the 114 nominated councillors, 51 are women. It is not clear how many of the nominees are from the opposition.

Botswana Congress Party (BCP) spokesperson Dumelang Saleshando has said they had just received the list of the councillors and they are still studying it. "At the moment I can't tell you how many are from the BCP or BAM (Botswana Alliance Movement) or any opposition party or the BDP because we are still looking at the list. However, I know that Nthabiseng Jacobs who I recommended from my constituency has been nominated. It is good because she is in her 20s. Besides, she is also a graduate with an Information Technology background and therefore ready to deal with issues in a highly urbanised area like Gaborone," he said.

However, the Gaborone Central legislator has said that he is against the idea of special election. He said the practice should be stopped completely because it is unfair on Gaborone residents to nominate people like Mokandla.

"The BDP has for a long time trusted him with nothing but a messenger and driver's post and now they nominated him to represent the people of Gaborone," he said of Mokandla, who recently contested a council seat in the general elections in Gaborone but lost.

Efforts to contact Botswana National Front spokesperson Moeti Mohwasa were futile as his mobile phone rang unanswered. Meanwhile the BDP executive secretary, Comma Serema was said to be locked in a meeting.