Branch committees have no vetting powers – Kario
Secretary-general (SG) of the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP), Kavis Kario, has clarified that branch committees do not have the power to disqualify candidates for the party’s primary elections. He made the clarification ahead of the party’s primary elections which are expected to be held by the end of April or early May.
Kario told Mmegi on Thursday that the party’s Central Committee (CC) makes the final decision, not the branch committees.
This comes hardly after it was leaked to the media that the Gaborone North constituency has vetted out councillor Lotty Manyapedza and former legislator Phillip Makgalemele amongst others.
In Gaborone Bonnington North, where Minister of Labour and Home Affairs Anna Mokgethi is the incumbent Member of Parliament (MP), there are reports that aspirants Ookeditse Malesu and Poloko Pitwane have also been vetted out.
According to Kario, branch committees only make recommendations to the CC.
“They don’t have the authority to choose the final candidates who will contest for the primary elections. The branch committees’ vetting process ends today (Thursday) which includes interviews for candidates and a recommendation report for each candidate.
“It is wrong for some branch committee recommendations about individuals to be leaked. It is worth noting that what those individuals are doing is unethical and actions will be taken by the party,” he said.
Kario added that the branch committee is not expected to release or share what they submit to CC since it is not final. The party SG said the CC is the one which would make final decisions on who is going to contest or not for the party.
Furthermore, he is disappointed some branch committees leak information before it reaches the CC. In addition, he said what happened was illegal and premature before CC made the pronouncement.
The SG said the CC may agree or disagree with recommendations made by branch committees. He added that it has happened before and the branch committees are expected to know it better.
According to party regulations for the conduct of primary elections, article two on vetting, all prospective candidates who have been vetted and approved shall be eligible to stand as candidates in the primary election in respect to which they were vetted.
The BDP constitution further points out that during the vetting process, the committee responsible shall consider the prospective candidates’ integrity, commitment to the party, and ability to represent the party and the public if elected. They also look at all other qualifications and disqualifications under the electoral laws of Botswana.
It further says the decision of CC shall be final. Mmegi learnt that the Gaborone North branch committee has vetted out Manyapedza because he is allegedly to be divisive in the area. On the other hand, Makgalemele is said to be unknown in the area.
However, a source said Manyapedza’s fights emanate at the council and some had influenced the branch committee to do so because of council infighting.
“Remember even when they were elected out at Gaborone City Council (GCC), councillors for Gaborone North were against him. “It is not a secret some councillors have been planning his downfall and this might cause tensions in the area. The Gaborone North branch committee is conflicted on this. We hope CC will make an informed decision,” the source within the party