BPF factions dig in

• Battle for the soul of the party intensifies
• One camp plotforming new party, still consulting
• Reatile camp dismisses reconciliation deal

BAKANG TIRO

editors@thepatriot.co.bw

Conflict prone Botswana Patriotic Front (BPF) is a party under siege, with powerful members who are disgruntled by the Serowe congress outcomes are considering forming a breakaway, The Patriot on Sunday has learnt.

Anxiety is gripping the party members due to an unfolding presidential drama between newly elected President -Lawrence Ookeditse and some members who belonged to Mephato Reatile's camp ahead of Serowe congress.Ookeditse emerged a winner during an elective congress in Serowe recently, an outcome which was rejected by Reatile, dismissing the congress as an illegal gathering.This week, there was hope for the party as Reatile announced that he would pave the way for Ookeditse to take the reigns.But shortly thereafter, a faction within the party announced former Botswana Defence Force (BDF) Commander, Gaolathe Galebotswe as the interim president, a development that has thrown confusion among party members.