BDP parliamentary caucus won�t go easy on Khama
Tsaone Basimanebotlhe | Friday October 31, 2014 15:53
In their caucus, attended by President Ian Khama, the Members of Parliament (MP) told him (Khama) that they would compromise on his choice of the Vice President. They would, however, not do the same on the issue of his preferred Speaker.
According to a source, the President wanted to know the MPs’ views on the matter.
“The President had given us a chance to bring forward our preferred names for both the Speaker and the Vice President. However, he reminded us that we should not forget that the issue of who will be the VP lies with him. He also asked us to be united as BDP members. He did not intimidate us, he rather wanted us to be free and we were able to give him reasons on our choices,” he said.
The source said that the BDP structures forwarded Pelonomi Venson-Moitoi and Nonofo Molefhi’s names as their preferred candidates.
Although the majority of MPs supported the two nominated, there were also five other names added to the list.
He said though the President would not reveal his preferred VP to them, they were reliably informed that he may want Thapelo Olopeng or Mokgweetsi Masisi in the position.
The source said their fear is that Khama’s preferred person would be holding that position temporarily for his brother, Tshekedi Khama.
On the issue of the Speaker, the majority of MPs voted for Margaret Nasha instead of Gladys Kokorwe, whose names were the only two brought before the caucus.
“It was clear at the caucus that some want Kokorwe instead of Nasha. Even the President seemed uneasy when the majority of MPs wanted Nasha. Some blamed Nasha for writing a book in which she attacked the BDP leadership.”
However, Mmegi has learnt that Kokorwe would likely be the next Speaker since those who want her outnumbered MPs who voted for Nasha at the caucus.
BDP executive secretary, Sechele Sechele, confirmed that they had a caucus meeting, but would not reveal details of the meet.
“We do not disclose things that we are discussing in our meetings. It’s internal and that is why we call it parliamentary caucus,” Sechele said.
Meanwhile, another source said he feared that if the President goes against what was agreed at the party’s parliamentary caucus then some MPs are not going to cooperate with the BDP central committee.
He said they have noticed that the Barataphathi faction is starting to regroup against the Third Force faction (those believed to be either ‘tenderpreneurs’, new to the party or had at some point defected) within the BDP.
“Some are accusing the Third Force of having contributed to their downfall at the general election. Secret meetings are being held to plan for the party congress and soon the lobby list will be out,” the source said.