BMD NEC rejects Gaolathe�s proposal
Tsaone Basimanebotlhe | Tuesday May 19, 2015 15:01
After reportedly hearing both sides of the argument, Ndaba Gaolathe made a proposal to the NEC over the weekend that the Phenyo Segokgo-led youth committee be disbanded.
The BMD secretary general, Gilbert Mangole confirmed the NEC decision.
“The NEC agreed that the current BMD youth league be endorsed.
We felt that the complaints that were there do not warrant the elected committee being dissolved,” he said, also confirming the formation of the commission of enquiry on the matter. The BDM Youth League electioneering had been wrought with factionalism and accusations and counter-accusations from the word go.
At the Mochudi youth congress two weeks ago, tensions spilt over with the police having to be called in regularly to quell near fistfights between members of the rival camps.
The man who stood against Segokgo, Roger Mphafe and his team withdrew from the race within an hour of the elections starting and subsequently called a press conference denouncing the election and vowing not to recognise the new committee.
Yesterday, sources said the NEC overruled Gaolathe’s proposal and instead set up a disciplinary committee to probe events of the Mochudi congress. Of the 29 members of the national executive, 18 rejected Gaolathe’s proposal, while five stood with him. “It was agreed that a disciplinary committee led by the secretary general be formed to deal with issues of indiscipline that happened at the youth congress recently in Mochudi,” an insider said. “The NEC agreed that the committee should be formed within two weeks to deal with the matter. “The NEC’s concern is that elements of indiscipline seem to be growing within the party and there is need to attend to them.” Mmegi has leant that the Francistown-based attorney, Maliki Mmohe, has been tasked with leading a commission of enquiry to investigate allegations that some party elders interfered with or were involved in youth campaigns for the congress.
Also, the Saturday meeting tasked the Gabane/Mmankgodi legislator, Pius Mokgware with reconciling the youth wing camps. It is understood Segokgo has proposed the inclusion of five members of Mphafe’s team as additional members in the current committee, to heal the rift. Dimpho Mashaba, a vocal Mphafe’s campaign manager, said they welcomed the NEC’s decisions.
“We are happy with the fact that the commission of enquiry and disciplinary committee will be formed,” he said.
“No one is above the party’s decision.
“However we are still going to consult on the issue of five of us being appointed additional members.
“We are going to approach it with an open mind because the main objective is to work for the party,” said Mashaba. Mangole said the party would not be quick to expel members found to have run foul of its rules, but would take serious action depending on the offence.
“We realise that there is need to educate our members especially on party procedures, policies and the constitution. It became clear in Mochudi that some of our members do not understand the party constitution and its policies.”