BCP �rebels� resign ahead of hearing
| Thursday August 27, 2015 17:12
The party’s Mogoditshane chairperson Tom Kemiso, former youth league president and council candidate, Lotty Manyapetsa and Gaborutwe Thekiso have resigned from the party.
The trio have been members of the BCP for over 15 years.
BCP spokesperson Dithapelo Keorapetse confirmed that Virginia Masole, Chabaesele Kasemang have also resigned from the party.
Kemiso, who is a well known member of the ‘Ditimamolelo’ faction, submitted his resignation letter on Tuesday at the party offices. He was once summoned before the central committee for a decision by the faction to endorse publicity secretary Taolo Lucas for party vice presidency.
“It is true I have resigned from the party. I have found a new job that does not allow me to be politically active,” Kemiso said.
He said one of the reasons for his resignation was the suspension of other party members who were recently accused of holding talks with the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) leaders for recruitment of BCP members into BDP.
Kemiso claimed that he had no intention of joining any party, especially the BDP.
“I have not applied for any party membership. I just want to stay away from active politics and I don’t think I will have a political home soon, since I want to concentrate on my new job,” he said.
Both Manyapetsa and Virginia Masole were facing five charges, ranging from recruiting BCP members to BDP and holding secretive meetings with some of the BDP leadership.
“I have resigned from BCP because they keep on changing disciplinary hearing dates without considering what I am saying. Why should they change disciplinary hearings from August 29 to September 5 without informing me first,” Manyapetsa said.
He said he wants to take a break from active politics after what has happened between him and his party.
“I will not join active politics any time soon. What you should know is that I will not join the BDP,” he said.
Ditimamolelo members and their party had a fall out after the team they supported prior to the Kanye congress, led by Lucas, lost the elections. Already former youth league secretary Thato Osupile, Nata/Gweta parliamentary candidate Ditiro Majadibodu and others were recently accepted at a BDP rally in Phitshane-Molopo.
Meanwhile Thekiso’s mobile phone was off after he asked to be given 30 minutes to respond.