Guma vs Makgato: Things will never be the same
Staff Writer | Friday April 17, 2015 16:45
Against the wishes of the influential Guma, Health Minister, Dorcus Makgato defied the odds to become chair of the BDP Women’s Wing over the weekend.
One party insider alleged that Guma’s camp went all out to pay for accommodation expenses for some of the delegates to ensure that they did not interact with Makgato’s team. “We have never seen anything like this.
For me, I have been in the party for many years and I have never seen a man so deeply involved in women politics. In the past, it was a women thing. But things have changed,” said a party member who preferred not to be identified in fear of reprisals.
She said that some delegates were booked in hotel rooms in Gaborone and Mogoditshane, while others were enticed to sleep in Digawana village just outside Lobatse, to ensure that interaction was limited. Their transport was paid for, as well as their meals. “We hear that they were partying all night, whilst others were given money. Combis were hired to transport them from their accommodation to the venue of the congress,” said the BDP member.
Meanwhile, some party members are beginning to ask questions on what the motives of Guma’s team are. There are also allegations that the businessman recently splashed money in Masunga, and in the BDP Francistown region conference. Sources say that Makgato informed President Ian Khama about her intentions to stand for the Women’s Wing chair and got the nod but it seems Guma had other ideas.
“We just do not know what Guma (and his team) wants in the party by splashing money whenever there is a big event in the BDP,” said a source. She added that Makgato’s ascendance to the highest office in the Women’s Wing may divide the cabinet further, as some ministers reportedly sponsored her rival behind the scenes. Makgato beat Tshepo Wareus 317-186 to become chair of the BDP Women’s Wing.
Guma has declined to comment on allegations against him vis-à-vis the weekend activities in Lobatse saying that he is not a woman.