BMD crisis: Youth League breathes fire

A very public schism has developed in the BMD in recent weeks, most notably with the assault of party chairman, Nehemiah Modubule and secretary general, Gilbert Mangole allegedly by Gaolathe’s sympathisers last week. The leadership dispute, pitting Gaolathe and his vice, Wynter Mmolotsi on one hand and Modubule/Mangole on the other, saw an unprecedented press conference called by latter camp on Tuesday in which they threatened action against Gaolathe and his loyalists.

Modubule and Mangole also slammed the new youth league for holding a weekend elective congress in Ramotswa and said the new office bearers were illegitimate. The congress was attended by 42 of the party’s 57 constituencies, in what was interpreted as a national show of support for Gaolathe.