Court strikes out Kelepi vs BPP application

Source: Mmegi Online
Author: Lebogang Mosikare

FRANCISTOWN: The failure to fully understand legal processes and procedures has dealt a Botswana People's Party (BPP) council aspirant, Dumani Kelepi, a heavy blow after his case was struck out due to technicalities.

Last week Friday, Kelepi took his party to the High Court after it barred him from taking part in its primary elections for the Shashe Bridge/Tati Siding South ward in the Tati East constituency. The BPP had approved Botsang Bareki, Wame Ncube and Kaisara James to contest the primaries that were set for the following day (May 11, 2024).

But on the night of May 10, 2024, Kelepi filed an urgent court application before Justice Gaolapelwe Ketlogetswe to interdict the BPP from barring him from taking part in the primary election. Justice Ketlogetswe issued a ruli nisi (an order upon condition that is to become absolute unless cause is shown to the contrary) in favour of Kelepi stopping the primaries from taking place on Saturday. Reads the temporary order: "It is ordered that the BPP is interdicted from holding and/or continuing the primary elections scheduled for 11th May 2024 at Shashe Bridge/Tati-Siding South pending finalisation of this application.