Masisi encourages BDP to ditch Modenga
Chakalisa Dube | Wednesday August 17, 2016 18:00
Insiders who attended the Sunday meeting, which lasted for a few minutes before it was called off, have also indicated that Masisi ordered the regional leadership to consult with Modenga, the mayor Sylvia Muzila as well as concillors. The sources stated that Masisi directed that action be taken against Modenga if indeed he is deemed to be acting improperly as implied. Mmegi has in its possession a leaked recording of the Sunday meeting at which Masisi was the lead speaker. Councillors and leaders of the different structures in the Francistown region attended the meeting.
“I want to advise you to be quiet about it (Modenga issue) while it is dealt with by the region. They are going to first meet with the two of them (mayor and Modenga) then they will call a caucus this week and this caucus should be respected,” Masisi is heard speaking in the leaked recording.
Masisi further stated that the caucus would extend to August 21 before a final decision is made on September 1. Insiders said possible action could involve replacing Modenga as deputy mayor. Modenga has often been accused of missing council meetings. The deputy mayor who has several civil judgements against him is also the subject of a corruption investigation by the Directorate on Corruption and Economic Crime (DCEC).
The BDP is reportedly worried that controversy surrounding Modenga will tarnish the image of the party. In the leaked recording Masisi also pleaded with Francistown West Member of Parliament (MP) Ignatius Moswaane and former nominated councillor Ford Moiteela to reconcile.
However, Moswaane is said to have later told the Sunday gathering that he has since reconciled with Moiteela. During the Phillip Matante East by-election the two engaged in a fistfight and Moswaane reported the matter to the police. The matter ended up in court and Moiteela is scheduled to go for trial soon. After Moswaane’s clarification Masisi ordered that Moiteela and Moswaane call a press conference to alert the public that they have made peace. Masisi is also heard saying that the matter was not properly dealt with and compromised the party’s potential at the Phillip Matante East by-election.
Yesterday Moswaane refused to discuss reports that he has smoked the peace pipe with Moiteela. However, Moiteela confirmed that he has since made peace with Moswaane.
“I was not part of the Sunday meeting but I can confirm that we will soon have a press conference to confirm that we have since made peace,” said Moiteela.
BDP Francistown region chairperson Sabelo Matikiti denied that Masisi made any remarks about Moswaane and Moiteela nor any subject pertaining to Modenga. “The VP only had a few minutes because he had to leave but he did not mention anything pertaining to Modenga and the Moswaane matters. In his brief appearance he was merely greeting members,” said Matikiti.
Matikiti also said that to the best of his knowledge Modenga has started attending council activities. “He was only said to be missing council activities a few months ago.”
Muzila maintained a similar stance to that of Matikiti. On Sunday Masisi was scheduled to engage in a lengthy meeting with BDP members at Tati River Lodge but he only addressed them for a few minutes before leaving.
Matikiti said Masisi did not take much time at the meeting as earlier anticipated because some members arrived very late while some did not turn up.
Mmegi has learnt that a few factors that were on the agenda of the meeting were also not discussed.