Team Phenyo Sweeps The Stakes At BMD Youth Elections
Tsaone Basimanebotlhe | Monday May 4, 2015 14:27
Emotions were boiling as police officers were called in time and again by the two battling factions of the youth league, as rival members came close to fist fights.
The two camps fighting for the leadership positions were Rodger Mphafe’s team and Phenyo Segokgo side as both went for broke for all the seats in the BMDYL. The election, which was schedule to start around 2pm Saturday did not start until 430am, Sunday. Mphafe’s team raised concerns that certain party procedures were not followed.
One of the contestants for the post of secretary general under Mphafe team, Disoso Pheto cried foul play.
“My belief is that this election should not proceed until things are done properly. Some of our delegates have been rejected for no reasons. The process is not transparent,” she complained. The Mphafe team, which was putting on yellow t-shirts written, “Be the change” ended up withdrawing from the race, leaving Team Phenyo to sweep all the stakes. It gave BMD secretary general Gilbert Mangole their withdrawal letter one hour thirty minutes when elections were still on.
Mangole confirmed receiving the withdrawal letter, but said elections would still continue. “We can not stop elections, is already late. The BMD youth would have to choose their leadership through the ballot. They were supposed to inform us an hour before elections because they expressed their interest to contest in front of people immediately after youth league committee was dissolved,” Mangole said. Mphafe confirmed that his team withdrew from the race, but refused to state the reasons.
“We will issue a press statement or talk to the media tomorrow (Monday). My team has to meet first and discuss the way forward,” Mphafe said.
Out of 44 constituencies that attended the congress, one was suspended while 13 constituencies did not cast their votes in protest. The constituencies that did not vote are the ones that are believed to be supporting Mphafe’s team.