Modubule takes his Pilane defence to Facebook
Tsaone Basimanebotlhe | Wednesday October 28, 2015 15:22
The former Lobatse legislature’s post yesterday in which he defended the decision by some leaders who want Pilane back, attracted a barrage of comments, with some accusing him of being divisive, disrespectful and destructive.
In recent weeks, simmering divisions within the BMD leadership over Pilane’s application to rejoin the party, have increasingly played out in the public sphere, with ‘pro’ and ‘against’ camps growing.
Pilane left the BMD in 2012 during an exodus back to the ruling Botswana Democratic Party by several founding members of the opposition party. A year earlier, the legal brain, had stood and lost the party presidency elections to the late Gomolemo Motswaledi.
His application for readmission has led to the formation of factional camps, allegedly led by leaders, some even fighting it out publicly in both mainstream and social media. Over the weekend, in response to intense public spats, the party president, Ndaba Gaolathe wrote a letter, in which he said he had lost trust in both Modubule and secretary general Gilbert Mangole for their overt support of Pilane’s readmission.
Gaolathe said Pilane’s membership would be decided by the party congress in 2017, a position both Mangole and Modubule say is improper as the party’s Kgatleng region has already readmitted Pilane and issued him a membership card.
Yesterday, Modubule took to social media vowing to continue supporting Pilane despite mounting tension in the party.
“Bagaetsho ha ele gore go ntlhapatsa go tla baakanya se bangwe ba dumelang se sa tsamaisiwa sentle ka boloko ja ga rre Pilane then enjoy it,” he wrote on Facebook.
“As far as I am concerned there are clearly laid down procedures to be followed. One thing for sure is (that) your insults are not solving anything.
“They may simply harden attitudes. I repeat insult me as you wish if that is the solution.”
Modubule’s remarks immediately attracted intense debaate with some social media commentators suggesting the former Lobatse legislator was taking the Pilane issue too lightly.
“O tsaa dilo motlhofo Modubule. You can now kiss Lobatse goodbye, forever,” posted one, while another said, “Please consider your position no matter how right you are. Sometimes you have to measure the consequences of moving forward or backing down.”
Some accused the BMD chairman of being divisive, even destroying the party for personal gains.
Umbrella for Democratic Change councillor for Block 9, in Gaborone, Sesupo Jacobs was even more pronounced.
He posted on Facebook: “Gare go tshabe Sir, not even one bit. We are not going to sit back and watch you destroy the BMD and the Umbrella for Democratic Change. This is our only hope and you should bear in mind that we will defend Ndaba Gaolathe and Wynter Mmolotsi (BMD vice president)”.