Opposition Presses UDC on Funding

Opposition parties say the UDC is using financial constraints to delay implementing the political party funding law passed in 2024. The accusations follow the recent All-Party Conference, where political parties discussed issues affecting the country’s political landscape. Opposition parties said the exclusion of political party funding from the agenda was further evidence that the government was not serious about operationalising the legislation.

BDP Secretary General Kentse Rammidi said the government had failed to demonstrate any commitment to bringing the political funding law into operation since its passage in 2024. He argued that the government was reluctant to introduce political party funding because it was enjoying the advantages of the existing system. However, Rammidi cautioned the UDC against repeating the mistakes of the BDP, which also failed to prioritise political party funding while it was in power.

Rammidi said the BDP was now experiencing the consequences of failing to act when it had the opportunity to introduce and implement political party funding. He said African leaders should recognise that laws enacted while they are in power could eventually benefit them when political circumstances change. BCP Secretary General Goretetse Kekgonegile also accused Minister of State President Moeti Mohwasa of delaying implementation because the UDC was in government and had access to state resources.

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Kekgonegile said the omission of political party funding from the All-Party Conference agenda showed a lack of commitment by the UDC government to funding and nurturing democracy. He questioned why the government continued to cite financial constraints when Minister of Finance Ndaba Gaolatlhe had recently told Parliament that the country’s economic situation was improving.

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