BDP face punishment from members in Tlokweng

Tsaone Basimanebotlhe | Wednesday June 25, 2014 06:59

 

The supporters said at a meeting at Tlokweng Community Hall on Monday that the decision to recall Elijah Katse as the BDP parliamentary candidate was tantamount to disrespect. Some even walked out of the meeting to show their displeasure. 

The meeting was convened by the BDP regional committee to explain the decision to recall Katse and three council candidates, Tidimalo Matlhotse, Amantle Matlapeng and Stella Matlapeng. 

A speaker at the meeting, Mporeng Kgaswane told South East South BDP regional chairperson, Michael Mokotedi that he should go and inform the central committee that its decision has successfully destroyed the party in Tlokweng. “The BDP is not going to win this constituency during the elections. 

The central committee has belittled us. Why didn’t they come here to explain their decision to us rather than sending the regional committee?” Kgaswane asked. 

Another BDP member, Barati Bakgetsi said they want members of the central committee to come and explain their decision to them. 

“We are the ones who are doing house-to-house campaigns, not the central committee. 

“This decision is not fair to us at all. It is too late to go back to the people and tell them that we have recalled our candidates. Tlokweng is one of the constituencies that are difficult to be won under the BDP ticket,” Bagetsi said. 

Kefilwe Kgosiemang said they have voted the recalled candidates with trust and hope that they will win the constituency and now they cannot be told that they are no longer in the race. 

“Re dipelo di botlhoko ka tshwetso ya komiti kgolo. Ga re a bolo go bala dikgang tse mo dipampiring mme re sa di dumele. Le gone re ipotsa gore ke eng re bolelelwa gompieno morago ga kgwedi,” said Kgosiemang. She queried why it took the party a month to brief the constituency. 

One of the recalled candidates, Stella Matlapeng told the gathering that as far as she is concerned, they are clean. 

“I forgive this party because I have not committed any crime. If indeed we have done something wrong, why didn’t the central committee bring evidence to us to show that we had committed a crime,” she asked. 

An elderly Matshane Katse bore the brunt of the angry supporters when he pleaded with Batlokwa to calm down and prepare for the general elections. 

His plea fell on deaf ears as some supporters proceeded to sing while he was still on the floor.  Mokotedi pleaded with the BDP members to be united and promised to take their grievances to the central committee. 

He told the people that central committee decisions are final. He said candidates who finished second in primaries where the candidates have been recalled will represent the BDP in the coming elections.