UDC faces Kgatleng litmus test
Lerato Maleke | Tuesday December 2, 2014 15:09
Following a Friday caucus meeting, which discussed the positions of chair and deputy, some losing UDC members say they will vote along with the BDP.
“The UDC wants to take control of KDC and so far it is relying on BCP support to back their numbers. What transpired at the meeting is that those who lost -Tona Mooketsi (former chair) and Bogare councillor, BMD’s Joseph Setoutwe, have connived with the BDP councillors to topple Boseja Central councillor, BNF’s Mpho Morolong,” said a source.
Morolong garnered eight votes during last week’s caucus, while Mooketsi got three and Setoutwe one.
Currently the UDC has 12 councillors, Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) eight, while Botswana Congress Party (BCP) has three. There are four nominated councillors, three from the BDP and one for UDC.
Setoutwe and Mooketsi are said not to agree with the caucus decision, which allows for Morolong to be council chair and BCP’s Stephen Makhura of Malolwane to be the deputy. UDC resolved to caucus with BCP last week Friday. However, both Mooketsi and Setoutwe are not comfortable with Morolong and have therefore challenged his capability.
During last week’s caucus Mooketsi garnered three votes, Setoutwe, one, while Morolong won with eight votes, whereupon the caucus resolved that he would be the chair.
According to sources the two councillors also challenged Morolong’s quality, personality and his leadership and educational qualifications.
Sources say Mooketsi and Setoutwe have now resolved to caucus with BDP, which may see the, BDP’s Mpho Moruakgomo, being elected chair with Mooketsi deputising him.
The BCP is understood to have rejected the BDP’s proposal to team up for the elections. Further, sources say the BCP’s Makhura made it clear that as members of the opposition, they would not work with the BDP but would do with the UDC.
Mooketsi trashed the suggestion he would team up with the BDP. Setoutwe could not be reached for comment.