BCP central committee decides on elective conference
Tsaone Basimanebotlhe | Tuesday April 22, 2025 13:13
For the first time in its history, the party found itself in a difficult position, having to seek two separate legal opinions on the issue. The BCP elective conference is an assembly that chooses the party leadership. According to a source, the legal opinions were conflicting, with one advising that the conference should proceed while the other warned that doing so would contravene the party's constitution.
During the consultations, there was a suggestion that the conference could be held in 2025, a year after the General Election, thus giving the central committee ample time to manage party affairs.
This situation has, however, caused a rift within the CC and the executive committee. Some members are feeling that a few individuals are attempting to steer the organisation according to their own interests.
On the other hand, others believe that holding the conference now would allow the newly elected structures, sufficient time to prepare for the next general elections, the source added.
The BCP constitution article 11.1 states that, “there shall be an elective conference, which shall be the highest decision making body of the party where inter alia, members of the central committee shall be elected the next calendar year following the National General Election to hold office for five years from the date of election.”
BCP spokesperson, Mpho Pheko, said it is true that the CC took a decision that the conference be held this year.
“CC is the highest decision making body of the party just like congress or conference. Their reasons are that the party leadership would have a five year term to run the party and also to prepare for general elections.
“This is going to be one of the highly contested conference as some members have expressed interest to lead the party,” she said in an interview on Wednesday.
Pheko declined to divulge how many legal opinions the party had sought. She rather stated that the legal opinions were in agreement with decisions made by CC.
She said the current CC's term was supposed to end in 2026.
Moreover, Pheko said the party’s secretary-general has to issue the writ of the conference which is not yet out.
“When the writ is out the lobby list would also be circulating as members cannot issue them out before the writ. However, members are campaigning within the party and busy formulating lobbies,” she said.
Even though the BCP’s CC has made that decision, some members remain divided over the matter saying that it contravenes the party's constitution and it is made to favour certain individuals.
Others are dissatisfied with a recent push by certain leaders to hold an elective conference instead of the usual congress. The members argue that such a move contradicts the party’s constitution and is therefore, unconstitutional. They believe that holding an elective conference may be part of a larger scheme within the leadership to either challenge or exclude certain individuals from contesting for party positions.
The debate has caused a significant rift with several members feeling that some leaders are attempting to undermine the party’s leadership to gain favour with certain allies.
“This issue has sharply divided both the Executive and Central Committee. It is astonishing that some leaders are secretly promoting this agenda despite both committees having already rejected it. This undermines the necessity of both committees if decisions are being made outside of these recognised bodies,” said a source.
The source expressed concern that if the behaviour continues, it could lead to loss of members, who may defect to other parties.
However, the source said members believe that condoning actions decisions that go against the party's constitution could set a dangerous precedent, encouraging members to act in their own interests rather than adhering to the party’s core principles. Additionally, a troubling trend has emerged within the party, the source revealed.
The source added: “Some leadership members have begun to argue that the party needs the direction of ‘the party owners.’”
The source emphasised further: “We have always believed that the party belongs to all members, not to individuals or families.”
This sentiment has fuelled further dissatisfaction within the ranks. Additionally, some members have expressed their concern about the party's current performance, which stands at 25%, far below the 50% target they had set for themselves. They believe that addressing these internal issues should take priority over personal ambitions and the need for a change in leadership.
BCP secretary-general, Goretetse Kekgonegile said in an interview recently: “There is discussion within the party such as holding early elections though the constitutional term is five years and points to 2026 elections. If that happens, indeed there will be change of guard in some portfolios.”
Kekgonegile recently addressed the issue in a detailed statement.
He explained that the matter has been discussed at a high level within the party, where it was concluded that legal opinion should be sought to guide its resolution.
He stated: 'It’s true that the issue was discussed at upper levels with the conclusion that a legal opinion be sought to guide the finalisation of the issue.”