Leaked tape reveals a divided BDP
Ryder Gabathuse | Thursday July 28, 2016 18:00
Mmegi is in possession of the tape, which is the product of a recruitment process of an opposition Botswana Congress Party (BCP) activist residing at Aerodrome within the Francistown-West constituency. Barulaganye Baka Mooketsi, fed up with the dirty tricks of some BDP operatives decided to record a long conversation he held with two party activists who have been all over the place trying to recruit people into the BDP fold.
Infact, Mooketsi was partly struck by the BDP factional fights, which he was introduced to through the recruitment process.
“It did not make sense to me that at the point of being recruited into the party, it was made clear to me that I would be joining the pro-Vice President Mokgweetsi Masisi faction,” said the shocked recruit.
He said in essence, if he were to join the BDP, he would not be joining the party but joining a faction. “Now, what becomes of me if by any chance Masisi loses the presidential race as there are people who are destined to challenge him for the highest office in the land?” wondered Mooketsi.
It was clear at the outset that he was being recruited for the pro-Masisi faction as Moswaane and his councillors are reported to be in Minister Nonofo Molefhi’s faction.
The recording is apparently a product of a secret meeting he held with former BCP parliamentary candidate for Nata/Gweta Ditiro Majadibodu and BDP operative and former councillor Raoboy Mpuang on June 18 at the Francistown old airport at around 15:34 hours.
Mpuang is also the BDP Francistown region secretary and a parliamentary aspirant for the Francistown-West constituency.
His recording, he alleges, was so secretive that his host parties never suspected anything although their meeting was held in a motor vehicle, Mazda Sedan 626, white in colour owned by Majadibodu.
He was seated at the rear seat whilst Majadibodu was on the driver’s seat and Mpuang on the passenger seat.
At the outset, the voice purported to be of Mpuang bragged that the only people who could contest Bulela Ditswe primaries in Francistown-West were himself and Moswaane.
Mpuang’s story is that it is over with Moswaane and he does not stand a chance at all in the area, “because he spends most of his time in Francistown-South constituency where he is campaigning for his blue-eyed boy Zazambi Tuelo.”
Mpuang’s story further says that he (Mpuang) is busy setting up a team of councillors who are going to help him to win the general elections in 2019 since they are buoyed by the support of Masisi. He describes Moswaane’s current councillors as “useless” and that they will not be re-elected in party primaries since they are not united and are not focused on their core mandate.
He presented his possible team of councillors as Joyce Ndove, Lesego Mpayang, Mma-Fanuel, Ace Ntheetsang, Tshepho Madziba, Garry, Magodi and others. Mpuang further emphasised that Moswaane’s current team of councillors won’t make it indicating that they are as good as absent from their positions.
He particularly hit hard on the deputy mayor, Lechedzani Modenga saying he does not add value because of his absence from the political scene. Mayor Sylvia Muzila recently accused Modenga of going AWOL.
Cornelius Gopolang was also discredited in that he did not work very hard to win the 2018 general elections but was only assisted by his hard working wife.
Mpuang indicated that this was not going to work with councillors loyal to Moswaane because they would not help his course of working with people that are pro-Masisi.
“Masisi is the heir apparent to the country and party presidency. Who does not want to be closer to the President? Look, when Masisi thinks of your area Aerodrome, he will think of you if you join the BDP,” said Mpuang emphasising that Mooketsi should not forget that Masisi’s late elder brother (Tshelang) was from that area.
Mpuang further reminded their recruit that Moswaane and Masisi do not see eye to eye. The grand plan according to Mpuang was that; Moswaane has to fall and pave his path as the next MP.
Quizzed about the leaked conversation yesterday, Mpuang indicated that he did not remember recruiting Mooketsi but indicated that they have approached a lot of people in their quest to recruit more people into the party.
“We have spoken to a lot of people and some of them even demand if they stand to benefit from the recruitment process,” he said yesterday.
As for Majadibodu, he was quick to point out that he is in the public space and it was possible that people could impersonate him.
“I take it that it could be one of the games people are playing. I recently recruited so many people to the BDP,” he said before demanding to know the type of things that are contained in the tape.
He wondered at the mileage Mooketsi was trying to gain from leaking the tape to the media.