The Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) is facing an internal dispute over candidate selection after its direct members warned that they could reconsider their participation in coalition activities. They warned that they could also explore other political formations ahead of the 2029 General Elections.
The warning is contained in a letter addressed to UDC president Duma Boko signed by secretary of the UDC Direct Members Committee Sebolelo Nkaki,
The dispute follows the selection of a candidate for the vacant council seat in the ward. The seat fell vacant following the death of UDC councilor Christopher Motsholapheko. The Independent Electoral Commission has set the by-election for October 17, 2026. The UDC had previously been reported to have settled on Thabiso Galebotse as its consensus candidate following discussions involving three interested members.
But the letter suggests that the candidate issue has triggered a deeper dispute over the role of UDC Direct Members and the coalition’s internal decision-making processes.
Nkaki says the Ward Committee had met, considered the by-election and nominated a candidate before submitting its resolution to the UDC office.
According to the letter, the committee received no formal communication confirming whether its resolution had been accepted, rejected or required further consideration. Instead, the Direct Members say they subsequently learnt through correspondence from the BNF Secretary General that there was allegedly no UDC candidate.
Nkaki says this has left members questioning whether coalition procedures are being followed. He added that; “We find this extremely concerning.”
The letter also takes aim at a meeting held on 17 September, questioning why the invitation was issued by the BNF Secretary General rather than the UDC Executive Secretary. The Direct Members further allege that the meeting appeared to be predominantly attended by BNF representatives while UDC Direct Members were not represented. They also point to the use of BNF-branded materials at the meeting as raising further questions about whether it was a UDC or BNF meeting.
Nkaki says the dispute is not about excluding BNF members but about representation and consultation.
“We will have to consider our political options going forward, including exploring other political formations with which we may seek to work or form a coalition in preparation for the 2029 General Elections,” it says. The dispute comes as the UDC faces a tight deadline to settle its candidate position before nominations.
“The UDC is a coalition, and Sefhophe is a UDC ward,” he said. The letter warns that the dispute could have consequences beyond the immediate by-election. The Direct Members say they have previously written to Boko, the Vice President and the UDC National Executive Committee about what they describe as concerns over their recognition and participation in coalition decision-making, but claim they have not received formal responses.
They say they have participated in mobilisation, campaigns, rallies and house-to-house activities in support of the UDC.
Now they are threatening to reconsider that participation.
The letter states that; “We may have no option but to reconsider our participation in UDC coalition activities, including our participation in the Sefhophe Ward by-election.”
The group says continued exclusion could push it towards other political formations.
“We will have to consider our political options going forward, including exploring other political formations with which we may seek to work or form a coalition in preparation for the 2029 General Elections,” it says. The dispute comes as the UDC faces a tight deadline to settle its candidate position before nominations.
The Direct Members are demanding answers from Boko on the status of their ward resolution, the basis for declaring that there was no UDC candidate and the official procedure for resolving the dispute.
The coalition leadership has already been reported to be engaging in efforts to resolve the dispute, with UDC leadership and the BNF central committee expected to meet over the matter.
The Direct Members are demanding answers from Boko on the status of their ward resolution, the basis for declaring that there was no UDC candidate and the official procedure for resolving the dispute.
They are also demanding an urgent formal response before nominations. For Nkaki and the Direct Members, the dispute is ultimately about the coalition’s internal architecture.
“We believe that disagreements over candidates are normal in political organisations, but such disagreements should be resolved through consultation and established structures.”
