Katse demands evidence from BDP
Tsaone Basimanebotlhe | Friday May 30, 2014 16:37
Early this month, the ruling party gave Katse and council candidates Tidimalo Matlhotse and Amantle Matlapeng two weeks to answer to accusations of violation of the party constitution and primary elections code of conduct.
On May 26, they trio wrote strong worded letters to the party secretary general Mpho Balopi asking for evidence against them.
In the letter, Katse said they have studied the report of the investigating committee dated April 28, 2014, in which findings were made against them. Subsequent to that Balopi had written to them to show cause why they should not be recalled as party candidates for general elections.
They said the report contained false bald and bare allegations against them by one Collen Mochotlhi, the branch secretary. They said they have not conspired to manipulate the primary election process or manipulated the primary election process. They also denied tampering with the voters’ roll, or having removed 400 or any number of people from the roll belonging to Member of Parliament Olebile Gaborone. In fact, the trio said they did not even have access to the roll.
They also denied that they offered anybody employment to manipulate the voters’ roll and trafficked any voters from Limkokwing University or from elsewhere.
“Allegations by Mr Collen Mochotlhi are not evidence, and that it all the report contains. I would like to be given evidence substantiating the allegations so that I can deal specifically with such evidence. I say that his allegations are a fabrication, and if evidence to enable me to answer it in specifically and in detail,” read one of the letters.
They said they asked for the evidence well knowing that it does not exist as Mochotlhi’s allegations are a false fabrication. “I be given an expeditious response in order that this matter be concluded as quickly as possible,” reads one of the letters.
Mmegi has learnt that the trio had resolved that failure by the BDP to provide evidence to them they would not appear for the disciplinary proceedings. They also intend to sue the party if it does not afford them a fair hearing.
The BDP executive secretary Sechele Sechele has refused to comment on the matter saying he could not discuss party issues with the press.