Masisi plots Molefhi's downfall

Onalenna Kelebeile | Friday April 29, 2016 18:00

 

It is alleged that Molefhi’s ambitions for the presidency of the ruling Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) is the reason for working against him. Mmegi has learnt that the minister is viewed as a potential threat to Vice President Mokgweetsi Masisi’s rise to the state presidency, and therefore removing him in the pre-2019 general elections primaries is to ensure his future ambitions are thwarted.

Among those alleged to being groomed to unseat Molefhi is the Selebi-Phikwe mayor Amogelang Mojuta. As part of the plan, Mojuta is alleged to have received a vehicle from the VP to oil his campaign machinery.

While Mojuta denies intentions to challenge Molefhi, he admits receiving a car from Masisi, “for private use”.

“I have no intentions to run for the parliamentary seat. I cannot waste my energy on future battles when I have challenges to deal with today. Molefhi remains the area MP and is more like a brother to me. My loyalty to him remains unshakeable,” he said.

He insisted that the VP’s present had nothing to do with politics.

“So the VP should not be implicated in petty issues. Our position as the party is to stay united going to 2019 and to prevent anything that can divide us,” he said.

Mojuta is reportedly closer to the VP than the area MP and he (Mojuta) was one of Masisi’s key players during his campaigns for the party chairmanship. In fact, he was in charge of Masisi’s camp during the Mmadinare elective congress last year.

Masisi also pledged P100,000 to the Selebi-Phikwe marathon, chaired by Mojuta, last year.

In response, Molefhi said he was at a loss why people would want to replace him when he has not declared his intentions for the 2019 elections.

“I will avail myself when our party primary elections season becomes open,” he said. He added that he is not aware of any deliberate action to snatch the position from him.

Daggers for Molefhi seem to be coming from different directions. Masisi’s alleged bid campaigners are said to be behind the recent aggressive recruitment drive of opposition cadres.

The Botswana Congress Party (BCP) allege that their parliamentary candidate in the 2014 general elections, Kgoberego Nkawana, was approached by the high office to join the ruling party and challenge Molefhi.

Party president Dumelang Saleshando confirmed in an interview that Nkawana was recruited to run against Molefhi under the ruling party ticket. He said many other BCP members have been approached by the ruling party to run in other constituencies.

“I urge BCP members to be cautious, not to be tempted by such offers because they are short-lived. Politics is a marathon not a short distance race,” he said.

Saleshando said those who were approached and accepted the offers are not necessarily genuine BDP members but a faction that the VP wants to create. He said what is happening is a sign of desperation by Masisi to become president.

“Such dirty campaigns prove that ruling party campaigns are not going to be normal for the party as an institution,” he added.

Nkawana said although he was personally approached, he could not buy into such plots.

“I am a loyal BCP member and BDP would be my last option and it has never crossed my mind to join it. I absolutely have no reason to leave the BCP. Challenging Molefhi for the BDP ticket is a non-starter for me,” he said.

Within the ruling party, there are more likely challengers to Molefhi’s parliamentary seat.

Tebogo Venson, the former deputy mayor and former political education and elections committee member of the ruling party is also among those reportedly eyeing Molefhi’s position.

He admitted to Mmegi that he has been overwhelmed by requests from the electorates to run for the parliamentary seat.

“I won’t close myself into the closet when the right time comes. The vision I carry is that of turning the town’s fortunes around,” he said.

BDP’s central committee member Mmapula Phuduhudu who is also reportedly campaigning for Molefhi’s position said she could not disclose her interests as yet.

“Time will come when the electorate will know whether I am in or not. It is not allowed for people to state their positions before the party declares.

 We realised as a party that early disclosure causes tensions within the party. I am currently focusing on my role in the Presidential Inspectorate Task Team and my duties in the central committee. I cannot be in the central committee and be the one flouting party rules,” she said.

In response to the alleged clandestine campaigns against Molefhi, the BDP secretary general Botsalo Ntuane said:  “Allegations are allegations and have not been brought to the party’s attention by any member. For that reason we cannot give them much credence”.