- Could challenge Matsheka in BDP primaries
- Confirms moving his membership to Lobatse
- Kebonang unlikely to run
LETLHOGILE MPUANG
Former Minister of Health, Dr Alfred Madigele, is expected to challenge Dr Thapelo Matsheka for the Lobatse constituency in the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) primaries.
While the date for BDP primaries has yet to be made public, sources say Madigele has already “informally” made his intentions known to most BDP structures in Lobatse.
It is said that the former Mmathethe-Molapowabojang MP strongly fancies his chances because of Matsheka’s “not so good” relations with the BDP leadership.
“Madigele will not be contesting in Gaborone Bonnignton South, as it was previously said,” a BDP insider told The Gazette. “He has decided to move his membership to Lobatse and will challenge Matsheka in the primaries.”
Reached for comment, Madigele responded: “It is true that I have moved my BDP membership to Lobatse. Lobatse is my ancestral home and there should be nothing strange about that.
Party regulations
“But I have not decided to stand in the primaries in Lobatse or anywhere else. Even if I had decided to do that, I would not declare it now as it would be contrary to party’ regulations.”
Meanwhile, Madigele’s chances are also said to have been boosted by reports that former MP for Lobatse, Sadique Kebonang, is unlikely to run in Lobatse at the next general elections.
Kebonang was ousted by Matsheka in BDP primaries in 2018. He previously told this publication that he was yet to make up his mind regarding his future in politics.
Matsheka was unavailable for comment as his phone rang unanswered on yesterday (Tuesday) afternoon.