Molapisi Snubs UDC Launch
Chakalisa Dube | Monday August 12, 2019 15:07
Modisapodi is a member of the BPP. The party is a member of the UDC. There were widespread reports that Molapisi and BPP secretary general, Venter Galetshabiwe were not at the event “due to the fact that they do not approve Modisapodi’s candidacy”.
More than a week ago Molapisi announced that Modisapodi was suspended from the BPP and recalled as candidate for Tati East.
Molapisi alleged that Modisapodi misled UDC president, Duma Boko into believing that the BPP was only interested in at least only four wards in the Tati East constituency instead of nine of the 10 in the area. The BPP subsequently got four wards to contest in the next general elections.
It is reported that Modisapodi does not have faith in the abilities of some BPP members (who wanted to contest the council elections), that is why she advocated for more wards in the area to be allocated to some Botswana Congress Party (BCP) and Botswana National Front (BNF) activists who she perceive as strong than members of the BPP.
At the time, Molapisi and Galetshabiwe also openly said BPP vice president, Mbaakanyi Lenyatso has been suspended.
They alleged that during a meeting to resolve the impasse over the allocation of the wards in Francistown West, he used his influence within the party (BPP) to advocate for some of the wards to be allocated to the BCP and the BNF, ‘contrary the position of many within the party (BPP)’. Some within the BPP alleged that Lenyatso leaned towards BCP candidates because he does not have faith in some council candidates from his party and believes that they can dent his prospects of winning the general elections.
Lenyatso is a UDC parliamentary candidate for Francistown West. The BPP was allocated Tatitown and Botsalano wards in Francistown West. The BCP got three wards; Moselewapula, Kanana and Monarch South. The BNF got Monarch North. The BPP had wanted four wards.
According to reports, majority of the BPP executive members did not endorse the suspensions imposed on Modisapodi and Lenyatso.
The two have also openly said they would not recognise their suspensions unless other executive members endorsed the decision.
It is alleged that Molapisi and Galetshabiwe on Friday failed in their final bid to convince other members of the executive to endorse the suspensions and halt Modisapodi’s launch.
Additionally, sketchy details have indicated that Galetshabiwe survived a motion of no confidence passed by other executive members on Friday morning.
Yesterday, Molapisi would not be drawn into discussing reports that he snubbed the weekend launch. “For now I will suggest that you proceed with your story without my input,” he said.
Galetshabiwe said he was in the ‘middle of something’ and is not ready to comment.
There was no readily available information from the BPP in relation to the reports that Molapisi and Galetshabiwe snubbed Modisapodi’s launch.
Tshepo Makhani, the party spokesperson was said to be the right person to comment but his phone rang unanswered.