BDP calls for primaries in Tati East
Tsaone Basimanebotlhe | Friday May 17, 2019 13:03
Some CC members who met with the constituents on Tuesday at Tati Siding village included deputy secretary general Shaw Kgathi and Simon Mavange Moabi.
“At the meeting, the party informed us that it took the decision to expel MP Samson Guma Moyo. The members who were sent to us could not go into details but said there is no time for the constituents to go through primary elections and therefore their preferred candidate is Sean Sebele,” the source disclosed.
Furthermore the source stated that the members openly told the CC representatives that they would want to be given two weeks to hold primary elections.
“The issue is that some party members believe that Sebele cannot win the elections. Of course they are those who support him. The issue has been sent to party office for CC to look into it. Again we have others who openly told the Central Committee that they are hurt by the decision the party took against their MP without involving consulting them.,” another source said.
In the BDP primary elections at Tati east constituency, Moyo got 2, 730 votes while Sebele was voted by 1, 920.
Francistown regional chairperson, Baemedi Medupe said he could not comment on the issue and referred all enquiries to the party. “I cannot comment on anything regarding Tuesday meeting. The Central Committee is the one handling the issue not the region,” Medupe said.
But Sebele confirmed that indeed the meeting took place and he is ready to win the constituency for the BDP.
“I believe that I can win the constituency for the party and I had been working tirelessly for the party in the area for over 10 years. I do not have a problem if primary elections are held and I will still win. What is very important for us is unity amongst us. I want to lead a united team so that we win together. Yes, some had opposed what CC had suggested,” Sebele said.
Meanwhile at a press conference held on Wednesday, BDP secretary general Mpho Balopi said primary elections would be held in the constituency.
“I can’t disclose some of the things that were discussed at the central committee (meeting). What we had told you during the press conference is enough,” Balopi said.
Mmegi has learnt that some BDP members are divided in the constituency over the expulsion of their MP (Moyo). Yet others are said to be secretly vowing that if Sebele wins, then they would not support him for general elections.
Balopi also revealed that the MP for Lerala-Maunatlala, Prince Maele had appealed the national disciplinary committee decision after it suspended him for 12 months from the party.