Jostle for late Modenga’s ward begins

9 reportedly declared interest to represent BDP

SESUPO RANTSIMAKO

FRANCISTOWN: Barely a week after the burial of Francistown councillor for Moselewapula ward Lechedzani Modenga, nine Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) activists have reportedly declared their intention to represent the party in the by-election.
Although it will be sometime before a by-election for the ward which falls under Francistown West constituency is sanctioned, names are already cropping up that include among others Former Francistown Deputy Mayor Joyce Ndove who was ousted by the late Modenga.
Also interested to represent the BDP in the bye-election is the brother to the late Modenga Lovemore Modenga and a friend, Misiozi Tadubana. Moselewapula ward Chairman Kayambo Joseph claimed ignorance to reports of democrats who are already positioning themselves for the vacant seat.
“What I can only confirm is that last year when Modenga was still alive there were some democrats who went around de-campaigning him claiming that he is likely to be recalled, but for now we have not yet received any reports other than rumours. Even when it was reported to be ill we received these reports but together with the area Member of Parliament Ignatious Moswaane we confronted them and warned them to desist from barbaric behaviour. But that stopped so if now there is someone who has already declared interest while we are still mourning I am not aware. I will also try to find out but if it is true I will have to report such people to the party,” Joseph said further warning the perpetrators to desist from campaigning.
Modenga rose to stardom in 2013 when he emerged from nowhere and defeated perennial BDP activists in the primary election that determined his 2014 general elections candidacy. Eventually he was controversially elected as the Francistown Deputy Mayor until he was toppled after he went AWOL, missing several council sessions.