UNCLAS GABORONE 000795


DEPART ALSO FOR AF/S AND AF/EPS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL PINR BC

SUBJECT: THREE ASSISTANT MINISTERS AND THE DEPUTY SPEAKER OF THE
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY LOSE PRIMARY ELECTIONS


1. On August 30, Assistant Ministers Oliphant Mfa and Ambrose
Masalila in the Ministry of Local Government and Duke Lefhoko in
the Ministry of Trade lost their seats in the last batch of the
Botswana Democratic Party's (BDP) primary elections held in the
northern constituencies of the country. Thebe Mogami, Deputy
Speaker of the National Assembly, also lost his Tswapong South
constituency, suffering a similar fate to that of another sitting
Member of Parliament representing the Francistown South
constituency.


2. Mfa, who has been an MP for the past 15 years, caused a stir
recently when he suggested that President Ian Khama's expected two
terms in office be extended for a third term. Mfa's loss was
unexpected, especially after he had belittled his challenger a week
before the primaries in response to allegations of misusing a
government vehicle. Mfa had derisively noted that there was no need
for him to campaign with a government vehicle as his opponent was a
"light weight." Mfa is renowned for his outspokenness. For
instance, he often publicly criticized companies that failed to
finish government projects on time, even once threatening to erase
them from the register of eligible contractors. Rumor has it that
the way he conducts himself might have had an impact on his primary
elections performance.


3. Apart from the surprising number of incumbents losing their seat,
a salient fact from the current BDP primary election's outcome is
that less women will be competing for parliamentary seats in the
2009 general elections. Only three women managed to win their
primary elections in the BDP.

Drouin