Molebatsi in fight for survival
Spira Tlhankane | Wednesday March 6, 2024 08:08
His plea to set aside the decision to co-opt new office bearers in the constituency was rejected by the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP). Molebatsi's plea faced a setback over the weekend as the party renewed its structures, incorporating new members into its cells and wards.
Before these developments, he highlighted in a letter that both regional and branch structures in Mmadinare Constituency were affected by the delimitation exercise. Most elected office bearers either resigned or moved to the new Tswapong North Constituency. In a letter dated February 20, Molebatsi pointed out the glaring anomaly of swiftly co-opting new members into both the Regional and Branch Committees.
"At the Regional Structure level, we are aware that this was done with the knowledge of the Party Secretary General, and we still contend that this move is against the mandatory provisions of the party constitution. It is important for us as a party to adhere strictly to democratic norms and be slaves to our constitution," he indicated. Molebatsi, who is also the Agriculture assistant minister, added that at the branch level, the decision to co-opt new members was taken swiftly and secretly without consulting some remaining Branch Committee members such as councillors and the constituency Member of Parliament.
He argued that co-opting into office when the vacant positions exceed more than a third of the committee positions contravenes the party constitution. "In consideration of these grave constitutional violations, we earnestly beseech the CC to set aside the decision to co-opt into office members at both Regional and Mmadinare Branch Committee and to facilitate the convocation of an Extraordinary Congress for both Regional and Branch Committees as soon as reasonably practical, as the Party Constitution dictates. Constitutional breaches should not, under any circumstances, be condoned," he emphasised.
Molebatsi also claimed that, in furtherance of its ulterior motives and total disregard of the mandatory provisions of the BDP constitution, the 'illegitimate' Branch Committee conducted cell and ward elections, which he deemed a complete sham. After the weekend changes, the MP is reportedly facing a tough challenge as his rival and Cabinet colleague Kefentse Mzwinila gains support and control over almost all party structures in the constituency. The two Cabinet ministers will face off in the party primaries, also known as Bulela Ditswe, later this month, marking a rematch of the 2018 bout where Molebatsi defeated Mzwinila.