BDP still mum on Guma, Maele sackings

Tsaone Basimanebotlhe | Friday May 10, 2019 17:53

 

This is despite the fact that the party is yet to formally inform people in the affected constituencies that Guma has been expelled while Maele has been suspended.

Moyo was expelled from the party for being part of the Serowe meeting deemed to be illegal by the party. The meeting was called by the then BDP presidential hopeful, Pelonomi Venson- Moitoi as part of her campaign strategy.

Maele was slapped with a six months suspension after he expressed his full support for former president Ian Khama.  Maele made the declaration during a Kgotla meeting hosted by Khama at Moremi Kgotla early this year. 

In the case of Tati East constituency, some councillors say if the party takes long to address the constituents about the decision, the BDP might be negatively affected.

According to different sources, the expulsion of the MP has led to the division of the party in the area and there are questions that people need answers for.

“The party cannot take this long without addressing members. It must be understood that different people who are not necessarily members of the BDP vote for the party.

People are starting to believe anything that Moyo’s sympathisers say and that is not putting the party in the good side,” the source said.

Another source said the campaigns for general elections would soon be affected and it is better if Sean Sebele is handpicked to run for election in the area as MP as party primaries might divide the BDP further.

Tati East branch secretary, Priscilla Mokgosi confirmed that they had not received any formal communication from the party about the issue.

“We are at the regional committee where we have gone to seek for answers.

People in the constituency are demanding answers from us on the matter. It is true the matter has divided the members and we want the BDP to come and address its members and counsel them so that they do heal,” Mokgosi said.

He said the branch will hold different meetings after the party had addressed members to try to preach unite and reconciliation.  In the BDP primary elections at Tati East constituency, Moyo got 2, 730 votes while Sebele was voted by 1, 920.

For Letswapo region, the regional chairperson Malebogo Phuthego said the BDP has not communicated with them. 

“People are hurt by the decision that the party took.

But we are waiting for party leadership to come and share information with the constituents. Our main worry is that the party is taking time to address members,” Phuthego said.

The BDP Communication Chairperson, Kagelelo Kentse said the party central committee is meeting on Monday next week and the national disciplinary committee chairperson will brief it formally about all the verdicts of the hearings that were before them.

“The central committee will decide next week on the way forward about the two constituencies.

Party leadership will send people to all affected constituencies to go and address members and explain everything to them,” Kentse said.