BDP drops Merafhe

Tsaone Basimanebotlhe | Wednesday December 17, 2014 20:36

 

The changes were made at the ruling party’s last central committee meeting held on December 8 by President Ian Khama. He told the meeting that he decided to make changes after he was informed of Merafhe’s ill-health. Merafhe was an additional committee member at the time of his exit.

At a press conference yesterday, BDP executive secretary, Sechele Sechele announced Masisi’s appointment and confirmed that Merafhe had been dropped “to give him time to recover”.

“This means Masisi is a member of the central committee. Merafhe was amongst the five additional members whom the BDP constitution gives the president the powers to choose,” Sechele told journalists.

Merafhe has largely stayed out of the public limelight since ill- health drove him from the second highest post in the land in 2011.

The 76-year-old became an MP in 1989 after serving as commander of the Botswana Defence Force (BDF) from its establishment. He was the Minister of Presidential Affairs and Public Administration until he was appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs in 1994, a portfolio he held for 14 years. He was appointed vice president when his successor at the BDF, Ian Khama became president on April 1, 2008.

Meanwhile, Sechele said the ruling party is set for an active year in 2015. Party activities kick-off with an elective National Executive Youth Wing congress in Masunga between February 6 and 8.

This will be followed by the BDP National Council meeting scheduled for March 20 and 21 in Gaborone. The Women’s Wing congress will be held on April 10 and 11.

The highlight activity will be the elections and congress to be held on July 10. A substantive venue is yet to be finalised, although it has been agreed that the congress will be held in the Bobonong, Mmadinare and Selebi-Phikwe

(BOMASE) region.