The relationship between Mass-BNF (University of Botswana- Botswana National Front) and UBCD-BCP (University of Botswana Congress for Democracy- Botswana Congress Party) has gone sour. This is evidenced by the current two (2) parallel Student Representative Cabinets (SRC) contesting the upcoming SRC elections.
The UBCD-BCP was welcomed into the Moono wa Baithuti (University of Botswana Umbrella for Democratic Change- UB UDC) in the build up to the 2016/17 SRC elections. Since then, the movement had mostly enjoyed winning majority of the SRC seats. Though there we hiccups here and there within the movement, this time it looks it went too far.
How did it start?
It all started after the last SRC elections (2020/21) results were released. When the results got released, Moono wa Baithuti won all seats except presidency, which was won by Bokang Dumelang of GS-26 BDP (Botswana Democratic Party). Due to power struggle within the SRC, owing to the Presidentβs excessive powers, Mass-BNF members wanted to remove Dumelang from office. The Mass-BNF wanted the office to remain βpureβ- with only Moono wa Baithuti. On the other side, though UBCD-BCP agreed, they were of the view that there is no law/clause that gives them such power. That is where the fights began. The Mass-BNF believed UBCD-BCP members have picked GS-26 BDPβs side.
Fights between the two contracting partners became so intense that there were assault cases reported.
Things Fall Apart
Feeling betrayed, the Mass-BNF began negotiations with UB Progressives (University of Botswana Alliance for Progressives) last year. After some months of negotiations an agreement was signed which meant UB Progressives will partner with Mass-BNF in the upcoming SRC elections. The intention of bringing UB Progressives onboard was to replace UBCD-BCP in Moono wa Baithuti. The UBCD-BCP took it as just a threat at first but it showed to be real when a cabinet was released without members of UBCD-BCP.
Believing that could be solved amicably, the UBCD-BCP then decided to engage the parent structures of the UDC. The Mass-BNF was determined not to listen to anyone, a close source reveals that Mass-BNF leadership went on to throw insults at the mediators. Seeing that Mass-BNF is not willing to cooperate, UBCD-BCP brought UB-BPF (University of Botswana- Botswana Patriotic Front) onboard to form merger. UBCD-BCP believes they have an equal right as Mass-BNF to the βMoono wa Baithutiβ name according to the agreements reached prior 2016/17 SRC elections. Consequently, there are currently two cabinets battling over the βMoono wa Baithutiβ name; Mass-BNF/UB Progressives versus UBCD-BCP/UB-BPF.
The Plot thickens
On 17th of September 2020, the SRC held a meeting of which its agenda was to appoint the student judiciary. During the said meeting it is reported that chaos broke forcing the President to use his powers to adjourn the meeting. The eight Mass-BNF members remained behind and appointed their own student judiciary which the UB management did not deem it legitimate. The reason advanced by the management was that the President was not present as he dismissed the meeting. The other reason was that the President had not formally announced the student as it is the norm. The student judiciary is responsible for making electoral regulations. Due to that reason it is the student judiciary that can judge on who should use the name βMoono wa Baithutiβ. However, a source within UBCD-BCP reveals that judiciary is pro-Mass-BNF as it was appointed solely by Mass-BNF, as such it will rule in Mass-BNFβs favour.
Mass-BNF has since engaged Duma Boko & Co. law firm to help compel the UB management to recognize the said student judiciary. Duma Boko & Co. is owned by UDC President- Duma Boko whose committee was engaged to mediate the fight between Mass-BNF and UBCD-BCP. It is therefore rumored that Boko is picking a side intentionally to spark a fight with the BCP. The grand plan is to replace BCP with AP within the UDC. Boko is accused of working with Phenyo Butale to cause a strive, Butale will then benefit Gaborone Central constituency in 2024 general elections under UDC.
