Former BNF MPs, Cllrs owe subscriptions
Tsaone Basimanebotlhe | Friday July 24, 2015 15:19
Reporting to the conference held over the weekend, the party treasurer Aubrey Lesaso said the party has made revenue losses of approximately P24, 000 in the 2014/2015 financial year due to a reduction in membership contributions in recent months. The revenue for the financial year 2014/2015 totaled P561, 556.70 against P936, 059 in the previous financial year.
“This resulted in a net loss in revenues of P24, 076 in the 2014/2015 financial year due to expenses of P585, 635 compared to profit of P137, 130 in 2013/2014 annual year,” Lesaso told the BNF conference.
The treasurer said the debts of former MPs and councillors’ subscription fees stand at P21, 500 and P24, 900 respectively, whilst unpaid stock stands at P61, 330. Lesaso reported that the former MPs and councillors had not cleared their debts before they lost the elections either primaries or general elections.
“The old account, which refers to debts emanating from members stand at P50, 900. Some are either deceased, have left the party, or are simply not active anymore. Party merchandise; T-shirts, CDs, videos that were collected from the party office by members, wards and constituencies and did not pay stand at P61, 330 and in total BNF is owed P235, 930,” the report says.
The financial report shows that elected members’ contributions still remain a major of the financial stability of BNF. It says business people are afraid to fund their BNF due to either intimidation or fear of possible exclusion from new jobs. “The different organs of the party such as treasury, regions, constituencies and wards are either constrained or are not well organised to contribute meaningfully towards raising funds for the party.
Collection of and safe keeping of finances from individuals and donations remain a challenge that the party headquarters since there is no proper systems governing such,” it says.
He said some individuals have bypassed the treasury to collect funds from donors without issuing receipts. The other challenge that BNF office faces is that party card membership payments are not well coordinated and payments are not recorded properly.
The treasurer decried that there was lack of proper handling, misappropriation of finances and accounting outside the mainstream day to day running of the party, such as celebrations, by-elections and general elections.
In reaction, the members resolved that the party should find alternative, focused and collective efforts to raise funds for it to have the means to continue operating competitively. It was also agreed that each organ should engage in intensive membership drive, collection of membership fees to raise funds, and constituencies to contribute P1,000 monthly towards head office for administration and functions of the party.
Although the conference adopted the treasurer’s report, the membership advised the treasurer to have more detailed report for the next conference or party congress.