BNF postpones executive secretary's disciplinary hearing
Tsaone Basimanebotlhe | Tuesday July 7, 2026 12:21
The decision comes after he requested documents and information that he says are necessary to prepare his defence against allegations of misconduct. Molefe's hearing was scheduled for June 30, but has since been deferred following his request for witness details and an investigation report, prompting the disciplinary committee to cite the need to uphold the principles of procedural fairness. The executive secretary was suspended on February 27, 2026, pending disciplinary proceedings. He faces allegations relating to abuse of office and conduct that allegedly brought the office of the executive director into disrepute.
A charge letter dated June 18, 2026 and signed by BNF secretary-general Dr Stephen Modise, alleges that whilst serving as executive secretary, Molefe instructed a data capture clerk to register new party members directly from individuals.
This was contrary to the norm of processing their membership through constituency secretaries or constituency chairpersons, as required by the BNF's established procedures.
The party states that such actions amounted to a violation of its standard practices governing membership registration.
In addition, Molefe is accused of obstructing the registration of new members whose membership application forms had allegedly been submitted in accordance with the party's procedures and practices.
The allegations form the basis of the disciplinary case that the party intends to pursue against the suspended secretary.
However, on June 24 before the hearing could proceed, Molefe wrote to the disciplinary committee requesting additional information relating to the case against him.
In the correspondence, he sought the names of witnesses expected to testify during the disciplinary hearing, summaries of their evidence, as well as copies of the investigation report referred to in the February 27, 2026 suspension letter.
Molefe reasoned that access to the documents was necessary to enable him to adequately prepare his defence before appearing before the committee.
Following the request, the disciplinary committee met to consider the matter before deciding to postpone the hearing.
In a response dated June 29, 2026, disciplinary committee chairperson Sedimo Tiroyaone informed Molefe of the decision.
Tiroyaone responded by informing the accused that the committee had resolved to postpone the proceedings to allow the requested documents and information to be made available to him where relevant. 'The disciplinary committee has considered your request and resolved to postpone the disciplinary hearing to allow for the requested documents and information to be served upon you in accordance with the principles of procedural fairness,' the disciplinary committee chairperson stated in the letter.
Tiroyaone added that the hearing previously scheduled for June 30 had been postponed. He said a fresh date, time and venue would be communicated after the requested documents had been served on Molefe, insofar as they were available and relevant to the disciplinary proceedings.
Furthermore, Tiroyaone indicated that the committee believed the postponement would afford Molefe a reasonable opportunity to prepare his defence whilst safeguarding the integrity of the disciplinary process.
'The committee trusts that this will afford you a reasonable opportunity to prepare your defence and ensure that the disciplinary process is conducted in a fair and transparent manner,' the letter reads.
The postponement means that the disciplinary process against Molefe remains unresolved several months after his suspension in February.
The matter is likely to attract significant attention within the BNF, particularly as it concerns the party's internal administration and its handling of membership registration procedures.
Allegations levelled against Molefe centre on compliance with established party rules governing the recruitment and registration of members, an issue that has in the past generated debate within political organisations over transparency and adherence to internal processes.