Masisi, Balopi factions divide Mogoditshane
Some members of Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) Mogoditshane branch committee walked out of a meeting the Kweneng regional committee had called to intervene and listen to the issues that had led them to pass a motion of no confidence against branch chairperson, Percy Tshuba last week.
The Kweneng regional committee held a meeting on Tuesday this week but failed to come up with a solution or answers to internal fights within the Mogoditshane constituency.
The issue of internal fights within Mogoditshane dates back to 2018 and efforts by some members of the party central committee to deal with the matter in 2020 did not yield any fruits. Now the issue of the recent loss at the Ledumadumane East by-election seems to have added more salt to injury.
The members who sit in powerful party structures within Mogoditshane are at each other’s throats for the loss as they blame one another.
An insider who attended the meeting informed Mmegi that the reason why the branch committee members had walked out of the meeting was that they are accusing some regional committee members of being biased and conflicted. “This issue is not easy as many may think because there are factions within Mogoditshane. It is clear that some members within the branch and regional committees are divided between President Mokgweetsi Masisi and secretary-general Mpho Balopi. I think it is best for the party central committee to send a delegation that is not aligned to any faction to listen to this matter. Kweneng regional committee is also divided and conflicted because within it, there are supporters of President Masisi and Balopi.
The meeting failed to continue immediately after branch committee members walked out as the ones who are said to be supporters for Masisi also excused themselves from the sitting,” an insider said. The insider further pointed out that the purpose of the meeting was to look at the complaints raised by the branch committee, the letter written by Tshuba against some branch committee members and another one written by Ledumadumane East ward chairperson to
party disciplinary committee so that it advises and takes action where possible.
Kweneng region secretary, Obakeng Kgabo preferred to say: “It is true that the regional committee had met, but there was no resolution that was taken against all issues brought to the committee. I believe the committee will have to meet again for matters to be referred to the party central committee. On issues that some members preferred to leak information to you, I am sorry I cannot comment. These are party internal matters.”
A letter written against Tshuba dated February 16, 2022 reads; “The branch committee of Mogoditshane has taken a resolution to relinquish the Mogoditshane branch chairman of his duties effective 16th February 2022 at 18:30 pm.
“The branch chairman, Tshuba has in many ways abused his official position and powers bestowed upon him to practise favouritism and disregarded the input made by other branch committee members. As per the Botswana Democratic Party general code of conduct of the party, leakage of confidential party information or failing to keep documents under proper control, engaging in any form of corrupt practice, abuse of office to obtain material, financial or other benefits and sowing seeds of discord in the party, using regionalism, tribalism or factionalism.”
On the contrary, Tshuba wrote and accused some branch committee members of the following, for branch secretary calling of illegal meeting without his consent, resentment by some branch members on branch calls for meetings during the recent by-election and their none participation
at all on the same, a caucus that influenced the secretary for this meeting and drew up an agenda that suits their needs.
“I am reliably informed that they want to make Mogoditshane branch ungovernable as they have mentioned the support of the party leadership. Amongst them is a sensitive activity of election of cell and ward structures in some wards this coming weekend, which has not been sanctioned by the branch and said to be arranged to take place.
This is confirmed by fellow democrats who have called to verify if indeed we are set for such elections. I need to make reference to the party constitution Article 14 - discipline in the party which confines all members on adherence to rules, regulations, code of conduct of the party and Article 15 - penalties on offenders. Allow me to specifically draw you to the attention of Article 43.5 which guides on the convener of meetings and failure on adherence, rendering the meetings null and void,” the letter states.
He had also cautioned the regional committee to act before the offences are committed in the interest of bringing instability in an already fragile constituency. He had also highlighted that he was aware of the intention of the group planning for the meeting to convene and take drastic decisions on the comfort that their actions will not be reversed by anyone due to the support they claim to enjoy within the party leadership.
Tshuba, who is currently kicked out of the committee, said undermining the respect for or impeding the smooth functioning of party structures will contribute to causing party instability.