Working to safeguard political career
The recent presence at the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) National Executive Committee (NEC) consultative meeting by Molepolole South Member of Parliament Dr Tlamelo and also the Vice President of the expelled UDC contracting partner Botswana Movement for Democracy (BMD) has raised many people’s eyebrows.
Mmatli’s attendance of UDC‘s internal affairs suggests to some that height be considering rejoining the UDC following his party’s expulsion from the coalition. BMD has since then resolved to lodge a court case over their expulsion from the alliance.
The UDC NEC consultative meeting was held last week Saturday. Sources have revealed that Dr Mmatli graced the meeting and was given a warm reception by UDC president Duma Boko.
Sources close to the development could however not disclose if Mmatli and his crew of BMD councilors had been invited to the meeting; a move which is believed to have irked some members of the Botswana Congress Party (BCP).
Reached for comment Dr Mmatli confirmed that he graced the UDC NEC meeting as he is aware that BMD needs the UDC just as much as the UDC needs the BMD.
“I am aware that my recent attendance of the UDC meeting where I was given a warm reception by the party president Boko is being alleged that I am dumping BMD for UDC. That is not the case,” revealed Mmatli.
He indicated that he is working for peace and possible cooperation of the BMD with the UDC, hence his attendance of the UDC meeting together with some fellow BMD councilors to participate in forums forging strategies ahead of the elections.
Mmatli, however, said there is no need for panic as for him there should not be any war with the UDC, emphasizing that he is willing to work to enhance cooperation with the UDC.
He could however not reveal if he has attended the UDC forum representing the BMD as a party but said he was happy that he was highly welcomed by the UDC.
Quizzed on whether he intends to smoke peace pipe with the UDC himself and possibly contest elections under the UDC ticket as he was quoted in one of the midweek local publications, he laughed off the matter emphasizing he remains committed to the BMD.
“I can tell you I am still a BMD member but for one contesting elections under the UDC ticket is not something that one can consider to be optional for now because we need each other as all opposition parties to win the elections from the ruling BDP,” he added.
Mmatli and the BMD councilors that attended the meeting could however be taking advantage of Boko’s offer when expelling the BMD that sitting BMD MPs and councilors who had won primaries were still allowed to stand for elections under UDC ticket.
Surprisingly, prior to Mmatli’s socializing with UDC the BMD Secretary General Gilbert Mangole had insisted that his party was not willing to drop its court case against UDC as well as emphasizing that the party will not seek any working or reconciliation talks with UDC without the court ruling on the case.