Death of Chairman of Tati West District Council means three more council by-elections are looming
SESUPO RANTSIMAKO
The death of the Chairman of Tati West District Council, Farai Bonyongo, has taken the number of the ruling Botswana Democratic Party’s (BDP) councillors who have died since the 2019 general elections in 2019 to 17, The Botswana Gazette has established.
The Councillor for Nlakhwane/Mapoka died on Monday this week after a short illness. “I can confirm that Bonyongo has passed away,” said the Secretary of the Tati West Constituency Branch of the BDP, Jenamiso Jerry.
“The report we received is that he passed away on Monday at Nyangagwe Referral Hospital after a short illness on the same day. He was rushed to hospital where he passed away.”
Other BDP councillors who passed away after the 2019 general elections are Kagiso Oduetse of Mmadinare constituency, Andrew Seboni of Mmopane/Lentsweletau and Letlhogonolo Donald Kwapa of Boseja in Mochudi East.
Three seats
The passing away of Bonyongo means that the country will hold the 17th council ward by-elections since 2019 general elections.
Out of the 14 council by-elections so far held, the BDP has won only three seats, which are Metsimotlhabe in the Lentsweletau/Mmopane constituency, Moshupa East in the Moshupa/Manyana constituency and Tumasera in the Mmadinare constituency.
On the other hand, the combined opposition has won Nkange, Tamasane, Lorolwane and Khwee, among others.
Three bye-elections are due to be held to replace three councillors who have passed away.