BNF leadership race hots up
Tsaone Basimanebotlhe | Friday April 29, 2016 14:08
Some members are said to be using inside information to try and block defaulting Members of Parliament (MPs) and councillors. While some see this as a witch-hunt intended to block opponents, others argue that this has to be done because it is a congress decision. It was a resolution of the BNF congress of 2003, which stated that, “any member of the party in good standing would be allowed to contest for party elections if he/she does not owe the party or party structure”.
The same regulation also applies in party primary elections.
Last July, the BNF treasurer, Aubrey Lesaso told the Goodhope conference that the outstanding payments from current MPs was are at P8, 000 and councillors P69, 300.
But the biggest defaulters were from the previous Parliament and councils, whose total debts stood at P46, 400, with unpaid stock of P61, 330.
“The BNF has made a net loss in revenues of P24, 076 in the 2014/2015 financial year due to reduction in membership drive. Reduction in membership drive was from P39, 400.00 at 2013/2014 to P5, 590 at 2014/2015 mainly due to primary elections. Loss of revenue from primary elections contributions from P495, 369 at 2013/2014 to P26, 000.00 at 2014/2015,” Lesaso had said.
However BNF secretary general Tapiso Kgosikoma said the regulations binds every member of the party.
“I understand some MPs and councillors who were owing the party had paid while some had made arrangement to pay. The new MPs and councillors are not giving the party problems for their monthly subscription fees unlike the old ones. But the party administration will check first if people do not owe before they could be voted in party positions. The same rule will also apply to youth league elective congress,” Kgosikoma said.
He said the outstanding debt is for the old MPs and councillors. Kgosikoma said the other pending debt is the litigation fees that the party accumulated after some members took it to court.
“The party has decided that those members would have to pay for those costs. We had won the case against them and the members have to settle the debt so the party is not indebted unnecessarily.”
BNF elective congress will be held in July at Francistown and those vying party positions has started their campaigns in different constituencies. Some have formed lobbies aligned to youth teams who are just about to go for their May congress in Mahalapye.
Although party president, who is also the leader of the coalition Umbrella for Democratic Change, Duma Boko is likely to once again go unchallenged, other posts are highly contested.
Among the MPs contesting is Tlokweng legislator, Same Bathobakae, who will be defending her vice-presidency against Moiseraele Prince Dibeela, who was the party candidate for Mathethe/Malopowabojang constituency in the 2014 general elections. Other legislators on the campaign trail are Gantsi North MP Noah Salakae, who is challenging Lesaso for treasurer and Mookame Mantimane, from Kweneng.
Shawn Nthaile of Jwaneng/Mabutsane is pitted against Moeti Mohwasa for secretary general.
Contenders for the position of chairperson are Kgosikoma, Kekgathetswe Kebiditswe and the Mahalapye duo, Abigail Mogalakwe and Harry Mothei. The position of publicity secretary has pitted Benjamin Kelepang against Justin Hunyepa.
As of now, publisher and Kanye North candidate, Kwenantle Gaseitsiwe is running unchallenged for the post of secretary for international affairs, and so is Shampoo Shadikong-Matshidiso, who is defending her position as deputy secretary general.
For the health secretary post, Dr Ogaofi Lekobe is also so far unchallenged. But the ever so critical to an education orientated BNF, the post of the political education has veterans, Basimane Mannaesi, Sam Digwa and Elmon Tafa trying their luck.
Other declared contenders are Tona Mooketsi who is facing Joel Phalaagae for national organising; Tona Selala and Eitlhopha Mokeresete for labour; and Moses Samson for economic affairs.
BNF members in their meetings are stressing the need to elect strong leadership not only to protect its constitution, but also ensure it survives the coalition and current trends.
“The members feel that politics has changed a lot and therefore central committee needs strong members to face today’s challenges. The BNF recruitment drive has declined and again the party has lost its key values. BNF is made up of masses and therefore we cannot have a situation where some of its structures have collapsed. The difference between it and other parties is its ideology and political teachings, which has also collapsed. We want central committee which could revive the party because the President is working hard alone and therefore he should be complemented by other hard working members that could also guide him,” a party leader said in confidence.