Eight BPF members resign
Tsaone Basimanebotlhe | Tuesday October 24, 2023 06:00
The suspensions were a result of alleged illegal meetings with former party president, Biggie Butale. About eight members have submitted their resignations to the party.
One of the members, Catherine Linga in a letter dated October 17, 2023, cites reasons such as "unfair suspension" and the "unconstitutional dissolution of the women’s league by National Executive Committee". Another member Boitshwarelo Mopedi, in a resignation letter dated October 20, 2023, mentioned her immediate resignation, terminating her roles as "BPF deputy disciplinary chairperson and Northern Region chairperson". BPF, through its secretary-general, Lawrence Ookeditse acknowledged the resignations. He, however, clarified that the members were due to appear before a disciplinary committee for misconduct.
"For example, in the Nata-Gweta constituency, five have resigned. Some are from other constituencies. As the party, we are not worried by the members who have resigned because it’s their choice, but we cannot allow members to do whatever they please," he said. "We cannot allow members to do whatever they please," he stated, emphasising the party's adherence to a code of conduct outlined in its constitution. Ookeditse dismissed concerns about a mass exodus, attributing some resignations to members making demands the party couldn't meet.
He also addressed reports that certain members are avoiding primary elections for candidacy in the 2024 General Election. While some members are sympathetic to the former president Butale, others align with the new leadership, a division causing internal challenges within the BPF, The Monitor has learnt.