Fights within Molepolole South constituency continue
Tsaone Basimanebotlhe | Monday August 7, 2023 06:00
In Molepolole South constituency, the State President Minister Kabo Morwaeng is crying foul against the potential challenger, Godfrey Sibisibi.
Morwaeng has written a complaint letter to the party secretary-general (SG) Kavis Kario that Sibisibi be barred from the primaries, alleging that the latter is going against primary elections regulations by engaging in campaigns before the party declares open contest.
Sibisibi has confirmed to Mmegi that he has received the letter and that he appeared before the regional committee for the issue.
“It is true I was given a copy of the said letter but there is no truth in the allegations. We appeared before the Kweneng regional committee on Saturday. I would not say much on the matter because the issue is internal. I am hurt that I have seen this issue on social media before I was served with a copy of the said letter. I respect party structures and procedure, therefore I would not discuss party matters with the media,” Sibisibi said in an interview with Mmegi on Wednesday.
He also raised concern that party internal matters are leaked to the media before they are even addressed internally. However, Mmegi has learnt that the matter was allegedly before the regional committee and the said witness in the complaint letter has denied uttering such comments and the trial could not continue.
“The issue could not go on because the key witness has since denied saying what he is alleged to have stated. This issue is very complicated because Morwaeng and Sibisibi have not been in good terms. Their relationship became sour after Sibisibi disclosed to some people that he is close to the powers that be that he intends to challenge Morwaeng in the upcoming party primary elections which will be held this year in November. Some councillors within the constituency are the ones fuelling this division,” a source said.
The source further revealed that there had not been peace within the constituency since some councillors were divided between Morwaeng and Sibisibi.
BDP secretary-general Kavis Kario said when quizzed about the issue: “This matter is internal and we cannot discuss it with the media. Every matter is treated on its merits and party processes are looked into.”
He also said he is not going to comment on whether the matter has or has not been referred to the regional committee.
A letter written by Morwaeng dated July 14, 2023, reads: “Please be advised that I am writing this letter to bring to your attention some disturbing occurrences in my constituency which call for your immediate attention. On or about June 3rd 2023 I met with branch chairman Thomas Letsholo together with some branch committee members at which meeting Letsholo made some serious allegations on the violation of the conduct as well as the primary elections regulations by councillor Sibisibi.”
Some of the assertions that were alleged to have been made by Sibisibi according to Morwaeng are that; he (Sibisibi) has been campaigning and is already done with the campaign for the Molepolole South parliamentary seat even though the party has not announced the commencement of the campaign process for primary elections.
He said Sibisibi claims that he (Sibisibi) has the full backing of both President Mokgweetsi Masisi and Vice President Slumber Tsogwane. The letter further alleges that when Sibisibi attended Tsogwane’s victory celebration in Xhumo, he was told by the latter that he should not withdraw his candidacy from the Molepolole South race.
Sibisibi is alleged to have said that the Vice President had told him that he is the preferred candidate for both himself and the President and that he has his full support.
Morwaeng further said he is aware of the 300 membership cards which were given to Sibisibi by some officials at Tsholetsa House between the period 2020-2021. He said this was the period during which strangely, registration at the branch was not ongoing.
“Premised on the above, I am inclined to form an opinion that Sibisibi is unlawfully registering members from outside the constituency, a clear sign of voter trafficking. I to date, am not aware of any action taken against Sibisibi in this regard,” the letter states.
Morwaeng also revealed that the issue is causing instability, indiscipline, discord and confusion within the constituency and it's further bringing the party name into disrepute. He also advised that issues of this magnitude should not be left unattended.
When contacted for a comment yesterday, Morwaeng was not at liberty to talk.