UDC extends Saleshando, Kekgonegile suspensions
Mompati Tlhankane | Monday October 17, 2022 06:00
The UDC has indicated that it had taken a decision to extend the suspensions because the duo had challenged their suspensions in the court of law. In July, Saleshando and Kekgonegile filed a case before court seeking among others for their suspension from the UDC to be declared unlawful, wrongful, unreasonable, improper and invalid in so far as they are not members. Saleshando revealed after their suspension that he was not a UDC member therefore he didn’t understand how the UDC could suspend someone who is not their member.
“For your part you have instituted an application before the High Court of Botswana in which you seek a review and setting aside of your suspension. You further purport in your application that the UDC has no “disciplinary authority” over you. At its meeting of September 6, 2022 the NEC noted the fact that you have sought legal redress and resolved that it maintains your suspension and places the envisioned disciplinary action against you in abeyance pending the outcome of your review application,” reads a letter from UDC president Duma Boko addressed to Saleshando and Kekgonegile. In the letter Boko added that Saleshando and Kekgonegile remain suspended on the same terms as were advised at the meeting of June 25, 2022. He said the disciplinary action against the two will commence as necessary upon the conclusion of the duo’s application before court. Saleshando confirmed to Mmegi that they have indeed received the letters of the extended suspensions.
Last month, almost two months into their suspensions, the duo revealed that they had not received their suspensions letters yet. What shocked Saleshando and Kekgonegile at the time was that the UDC seemed unbothered to formally communicate on the matter. The suspended duo of Saleshando and Kekgonegile were suspended for allegedly destroying and belittling the coalition. Boko told the media then that the Maun legislators had burned the UDC house down by going behind their back and proving to be two-mouthed giants.
“What Saleshando and Kekgonegile did was put down the UDC. What they did was equal to standing on the streets and ridiculing the UDC by even saying we cannot replace President Mokgweetsi Masisi with another Masisi. Most of these demeaning words go to the same voters we want voting for us in 2024. This is unacceptable because we are the campaigners of the UDC who ask for people’s votes and we want to show Batswana the worth of the UDC,” Boko said at the time. Boko added that both Saleshando and Kekgonegile were given a chance to apologise which they failed to do.
Since they were suspended, Saleshando didn’t stop expressing how he feels about Boko and the UDC. He has even accused Boko of taking the UDC name, colours and logo and registering them as his private property. Saleshando, who likened Boko to President Mokgweetsi Masisi said they can’t have a cruel and wayward president like Boko.