Motion to oust Muzila collapses
Chakalisa Dube | Thursday September 10, 2015 14:21
The motion to topple Muzila was initially tabled by councillor Gaone Majere of the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) two weeks ago. However, it could not be debated at the time because councillors and council officials did not understand the standing orders, which govern the toppling of a city mayor through a motion of no confidence. The council was postponed to yesterday to allow the council legal team to seek clarity on the standing orders.
However, yesterday when given the platform to present his motion again, Ipopeng ward councillor Majere chose to withdraw it.
Majere initially wanted the councillors to support his decision to withdraw the motion under the condition that Muzila should be ousted in November if she does not change tact.
However, none of the councillors supported his request that Muzila be ousted in November.
Speaking to Mmegi, Majere said he chose to withdraw his motion because BDP councillors chose not to support it, although they had initially agreed otherwise. “Two weeks ago, when I tabled the motion, I had the backing of 10 BDP councillors and fellow UDC councillors. We were also banking on some BCP councillors. But yesterday I, together with fellow UDC councillors, met some BDP councillors and they indicated that they would not support my motion because their party had pleaded with them not do so,” he explained.
Majere denied claims that he was used by some BDP councillors who wanted to wage war on Muzila.
“All I wanted was Muzila to step down and be replaced by a credible candidate regardless of their political affiliation. All councillors are not happy with the way she does things,” he said.
Majere said he wanted Muzila ousted because firstly, she favours BDP councillors over their opposition mates during council proceedings. He also accused Muzila of leaking confidential council information to members of the public.
It is alleged that Peter Ngoma is among the councillors behind the plot to topple Muzila. Ngoma has however denied these allegations on several occasions.
Mmegi has learnt that BDP councillors decided to call off their plans to topple the mayor following a reconciliation meeting with some members of the BDP central committee last week. The BDP members Botlhogile Tshireletso, Jagdish Shah and Nonofo Molefhi were in Francistown to plead with councillors to desist from tabling motions of no confidence against the mayor.
President Khama is alleged to have written a follow up letter on Tuesday, pleading with councillors not to support Majere’s motion.
The secretary for BDP Francistown region Raoboy Mpuang, yesterday confirmed that the central comittee, had held a meeting with councillors on Friday, but refused to discuss further details.
Mpuang said he was not aware of a letter written by President Khama pleading with councillors to desist from toppling Muzila.