Phikwe democrats abandon election protest

Onalenna Kelebeile | Wednesday February 12, 2014 13:46

ONALENNA KELEBEILE

Staff Writer

SELEBI-PHIKWE: Botswana Democratic Party primary election losers in the Selebi-Phikwe west constituency have withdrawn their protests and further denied they were contemplating legal action. They had lodged protests to deny the victor, Opelo Makhandlela, gaiety, citing irregularities throughout the elections.

Mbaiwa, who was evidently unhappy at the way the regional committee handled their protest, explained that they handed their protest to the regional committee within a week as stipulated in the party constitution.

He said this was supposed to have been followed by Makhandlela's response to the petition within a week as well.

He said the regional committee was then supposed to respond within a month in the form of granting them a hearing or referring them to a higher structure.

He explained that he received a call from the party headquarters at around 5pm reminding him of a hearing that was scheduled for the next morning.

He said it was impossible for them to attend that hearing but refused to put it in writing that they will not pursue the matter further because 'nobody acknowledged receipt of our protest in writing.

'We withdrew because time had already elapsed and it was too late to push ahead when the party has announced that candidates will be officially introduced to the electorate during the April Congress.

'The matter itself has already lost momentum,' he added.

Mbaiwa further said that by withdrawing they also considered the fact that Selebi-Phikwe West constituency is currently in the hands of the opposition. 'We felt that we should refrain from further destabilising the constituency. A re-run in an opposition held constituency will not work well for the party.

'Our intention and decision is to work harmoniously with the winner with the common goal of winning back the constituency,' he said.

He explained that they were never influenced by anybody including the branch committee to reconsider their protest and said they wanted to avoid a situation that resembles the one in Francistown West constituency.

'Truly we are not happy that our protest was not granted proper attention and we are still convinced that our reasons are still valid but for the sake of the party, we have to win the constituency,' he added.

The BOMASE region, deputy chairperson, Tebogo Venson, also confirmed the withdrawal.

He said his committee responded to the protesters and maintained that the protest was held accordingly and further clarified that Makhandlela responded in writing.

'These people misinterpreted what the press release was communicating. The statement only wanted those who lodged their protest through the central committee,' he said.

'It is true. I can confirm that we withdrew our protest but we had never thought of taking the legal route because it is in the interest of our party for us to withdraw,' said Godfrey Mbaiwa Selebi- Phikwe former mayor, who is the councillor for Sesame South.Mbaiwa, who was evidently unhappy at the way the regional committee handled their protest, explained that they handed their protest to the regional committee within a week as stipulated in the party constitution. He said this was supposed to have been followed by Makhandlela's response to the petition within a week as well. He said the regional committee was then supposed to respond within a month in the form of granting them a hearing or referring them to a higher structure.

'However, we did not receive any response to our protest from the respondent and the regional committee did not even acknowledge receipt of our petition until we just saw a press release in the newspapers inviting us for a hearing in Gaborone,' said Mbaiwa. He explained that he received a call from the party headquarters at around 5pm reminding him of a hearing that was scheduled for the next morning.He said it was impossible for them to attend that hearing but refused to put it in writing that they will not pursue the matter further because 'nobody acknowledged receipt of our protest in writing. 'We withdrew because time had already elapsed and it was too late to push ahead when the party has announced that candidates will be officially introduced to the electorate during the April Congress. 'The matter itself has already lost momentum,' he added. Mbaiwa further said that by withdrawing they also considered the fact that Selebi-Phikwe West constituency is currently in the hands of the opposition.

'We felt that we should refrain from further destabilising the constituency. A re-run in an opposition held constituency will not work well for the party. 'Our intention and decision is to work harmoniously with the winner with the common goal of winning back the constituency,' he said. He explained that they were never influenced by anybody including the branch committee to reconsider their protest and said they wanted to avoid a situation that resembles the one in Francistown West constituency. 'Truly we are not happy that our protest was not granted proper attention and we are still convinced that our reasons are still valid but for the sake of the party, we have to win the constituency,' he added.The BOMASE region, deputy chairperson, Tebogo Venson, also confirmed the withdrawal. He said his committee responded to the protesters and maintained that the protest was held accordingly and further clarified that Makhandlela responded in writing. 'These people misinterpreted what the press release was communicating. The statement only wanted those who lodged their protest through the central committee,' he said.