BDP vets out four Bulela Ditswa hopefuls
Tsaone Basimanebotlhe | Monday June 3, 2024 08:21
This follows a revelation on Wednesday by party president, Mokgweetsi Masisi, that more people will be removed from the list of aspiring candidates because they ‘breached’ the party code on primaries.
Mmegi has learnt that the BDP Central Committee (CC) has vetted out four aspirant candidates for indiscipline and disloyalty. The ruling party was in the headlines last month for vetting out some potential Bulela Ditswe candidates and now the axe has returned to claim more.
In Tlokweng constituency, the party primary elections will now feature two candidates instead of three as previously announced. The party's CC disqualified the third candidate, Lesang Bogatsu, on Wednesday for allegedly violating the BDP primary elections code of conduct.
Initially, the three candidates were incumbent MP and Minister of Communications, Knowledge and Technology, Thulaganyo Segokgo, Dr Letshwiti Tutwane and the new entrant Bogatsu.
Besides Bogatsu who was eyeing the MP candidacy, the other three rejected candidates wanted to contest for council seats. The trio is councillor for Selemela ward in Gaborone South constituency, Robert Kediseng, Emmanuel Koakae for Lentsweletau and Tlotlo Moseki in Gaborone North constituency.
Contacted for comment yesterday evening Kediseng said: “I don’t know; they have not yet brought my letter. I think it is best you talk to the party.”
Efforts to secure comments from the other three were not successful by Press time.
Still on the matter, Mmegi has learnt that the CC has taken a resolution that those who want to withdraw from contesting be allowed to do so and be refunded their money.
When reached by Mmegi, BDP secretary general (SG) Kavis Kario declined to comment on the latest developments.
“I cannot comment on party internal matters. It will be unfortunate if someone leaked the names of members who are disqualified to you.”
Meanwhile, in Tlokweng constituency, the contest will be include former staunch member of the Botswana National Front, Dr Tutwane who will be finally contesting in his home village.
The BDP is a party the former University of Botswana Media Studies lecturer had criticised most of his life, but the matter appears to now be water under the bridge for the former Mmegi journalist. He brings a lot of experience in academia and will be looking to defeat the incumbent MP, Segokgo. Segokgo is the current Minister of Communications, Knowledge and Technology and he will be aiming for yet another Bulela Ditswe win. Segokgo’s 2019 victory helped the BDP wrestle the constituency from the opposition and his rivals face an uphill task to unseat him. The race will now be a two-horse affair between Tutwane and Segokgo.
With the aspirants axed, there is no provision for them to appeal or challenge the CC’s decision. Additionally, the ruling party’s constitution does not grant members who have been vetted out for contravening Bulela-Ditswe, the right to appear before a disciplinary hearing for the offences they may have committed.
The CC is also empowered by the party constitution to nominate a candidate in any constituency or ward. The BDP constitution Article 13 under BDP primary election rules and regulations of the party, states that: “notwithstanding anything contained in these regulations, the central committee may, where necessary, nominate a candidate in any constituency or ward where an election is imminent and the modus operandi as laid down is unworkable for any reason whatsoever.”
Political analyst Dr Sethunya Mosime criticised the ruling party’s process, in an interview with Mmegi yesterday.
“The process is undemocratic but BDP members have allowed the same process to run and guide them for years, therefore they cannot complain now. “The same system has been used to disadvantage others in previous years and some never thought it wouldn’t favour them. “Members have congresses and conferences where they should challenge some of the clauses and amend the constitution if they believe this is necessary. “It’s unfortunate that the constitution does not force the CC to take them to a disciplinary hearing as it can decide who is fit to represent the party.”
Mosime said it was important for the party to have charged members who are alleged to have contravened the party constitution. She said this would have allowed them the opportunity to defend themselves before a disciplinary hearing, rather than just barring them from contesting the primary elections.
Mosime said the vetting process has already been under scrutiny and therefore, those who are now affected might contribute to existing party problems.
She added that the BDP elections this year are not going to be clean because of the way they are being handled.
Masisi on Wednesday revealed that the party’s elections will be held at the end of June or in the first week of July.