BDP summons Moswaane over suspect office
Chakalisa Dube | Tuesday August 16, 2016 16:51
Moswaane, who was instrumental in the formation of the Francistown South office set up three months ago, which currently runs through the discredited and bogus Monarch Community Development Centre (MCDC), was summoned by letter by the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) last week. Dated August 8, the letter instructs Moswaane to submit his response to the unflattering claims by BDP diehards by August 21.
The BDP diehards in Francistown South hold the stern view that the MCDC office is being used to help Zazambi Tuelo, who is a close ally of Moswaane, to position himself for a triumph at the party primaries in 2017.
Although he denies the claims, Tuelo who is a nominated councillor in the Francistown West constituency, reportedly harbours ambitions of contesting the party primaries in Francistown South.
The concerned members have often accused Tuelo of campaigning for the primaries through the office though the party is yet to open for campaigns.
In addition, last month President Ian Khama ordered the Francistown regional committee to investigate the allegations that Moswaane helped establish the office in a bid to assist Tuelo to unfairly position himself for the party primaries in the constituency.
At the time of setting up, Moswaane had said that the office was established to help youth access government initiatives.
Despite Moswaane’s earlier reasoning, the letter signed by BDP Francistown region secretary, Raoboy Mpuang requested Moswaane to state in detail his role in the establishment of the office.
Furthermore, the letter, which Mpuang denies ever writing, forms part of the BDP investigation.
It invites Moswaane to state the purpose of the office and its relationship with the ruling party. Copies of the letter were also sent to the party’s Francistown South branch secretary. It reads in part: “Also state if any structure of the BDP was involved or fully consulted before the office was established”.
Concerned BDP members were said to be contemplating advancing their complaints about the MCDC office to Vice President (VP) and party chairman, Mokgweetsi Masisi.
Masisi was in Francistown on Saturday and Sunday where he was scheduled to meet high ranking party members in the region. He officiated at the BDP Francistown region fund raising dinner in Francistown.
He was also to address an internal party meeting with members in the region.
The internal meeting, according to BDP Francistown region chair Sabelo Matikiti, was called off after some members came late while some did not turn up. The VP only made a cameo at the meeting and had to leave because of other commitments.
However, Moswaane said that he has not received any letter from the Francistown regional committee. “I find it petty to discuss the purpose of the office because I have already stated it before. Those who question the existence of the office have their own agenda.
“It will also be a waste of time for me to appear before anyone to explain the purpose of MCDC,” Moswaane added when asked if he is aware that some party members are questioning the existence of the MCDC in Francistown South.
MCDC gained prominence in 2013 after it emerged that it was behind the bogus petition that forced the postponement of the Francistown West by-election at the 11th hour. Matikiti would neither confirm nor deny that the region had written a letter to Moswaane.
“What I can only emphasise is that we have received complaints that there is an office in Francistown South, which some of our members are using to illegally campaign for the primaries.
We are investigating the said office and the outcome of our investigations will be released soon,” Matikiti said.
Francistown South branch secretary, Modiri Lucas said that he is not aware of the letter.