Masisi assembles election team
Tsaone Basimanebotlhe | Thursday April 30, 2015 17:03
Masisi is busy recruiting the foot soldiers and generals that are expected to help him in the high profile fight with former cabinet ministers, Ramadeluka Seretse and Tebelelo Seretse.
Influential MP for Tati East and former BDP chairperson, Samson Moyo Guma, is already grafting in the shadows for the Vice President in an operation that has roped in another heavyweight and long-serving BDP treasurer and plutocrat, Satar Dada.
The business mogul has changed his mind about retiring as BDP treasurer to announce that he will be in Masisi’s line-up to defend his position. “I have been approached to contest but I won’t be on the post for long.
I will only serve for two years in the (executive) committee,” Dada said about his change of mind. The Masisi axis is courting Mmadinare MP, Kefentse Mzwinila to be BDP secretary general with cabinet minister, Shaw Kgathi as his deputy. Mzwinila has told Mmegi that he has not made up his mind about throwing his hat in the ring though he has been approached to stand in the elections in July. If he decides to contest, he will come up against former MP, Botsalo Ntuane who once served as BDP executive secretary; former cabinet minister, Gaotlhaetse Matlhabaphiri; and businessman Olebeng Ngwakwena.
The Vice President’s strategists are reportedly lining up businessman, Paul Paledi to reclaim his old post as Dada’s number two. The position is currently held by Tonota MP and Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture, Thapelo Olopeng, who has reportedly indicated he will not seek re-election. Sources say Masisi is expected to complete his line-up soon.
Besides, the Vice President and the two high profile Seretses Tebelelo and Ramadeluka, the race for the BDP chairmanship has so far attracted a number of political greenhorns. These include the MP for Tati West Biggie Butale and businessmen, Moemedi Dijeng and Seteng Motalaote. Butale who was expected to give way for Masisi has said it is too late to back down though he admits that it is not a good thing for him to contest against the Vice President. “Different teams have already toured other parts of the country. Its late for someone to pull out from the race,” Butale said. Another contender who was tipped to quit once Masisi enters the fray is Tebelelo Seretse but like Butale she is sticking to her guns.