BCP raids BDP base
Ryder Gabathuse | Friday November 4, 2016 18:42
It’s now common knowledge that Francistown West MP, Ignatius Moswaane and some of his councillors are no longer at peace, especially the trio that have already shown interest in joining the opposition BCP.
This week, both the ruling BDP and the BCP could not hide reports that the outspoken Tatitown councillor, Gaethusi Ramolotsane has declared interest in joining the BCP. But, what was not forthcoming was when he will finally join his new political home.
Reports are that Ramolotsane has already met the national leadership of the BCP, including party president Dumelang Saleshando last weekend at the insistence of the party local leadership in the Francistown-West constituency. Saleshando disclosed that they have a press conference on Monday morning in Gaborone to welcome new members, but would not share more.
Ramolotsane has already been served with the BCP membership form to complete. He is expected to deliver his resignation letter to the BDP possibly before this weekend.
His impending resignation from the BDP confirms his fall out with the area MP particularly. Ramolotsane has been outspoken against the leadership style of Vice President Mokgweetsi Masisi who at best they describe as a divisive leader. As for the two other civic leaders whose names have been passed to Mmegi, but have asked to be kept under wraps until they have thrashed a few issues before they could officially join the BCP.
The trio has long had issues with Moswaane, and it has always been a matter of time before the situation exploded as it’s doing now.
Vain Mamela, BCP national organising secretary (north) confirmed Ramolotsane has taken the BCP membership form, which they expected from him anytime to take membership.
Mamela, who saw the latest moves as their time to have a share of the political market, confirmed the councillor was on his way to the opposition ranks.
“He has completed the party membership form and he is yet to hand it over to us as he is currently in Gaborone attending to his personal business,” Mamela said. As regards the other two councillors, he would not say much.
Officially, BDP Francistown region secretary, Raoboy Mpuang has not received Ramolotsane’s resignation letter but acknowledged that he has been inundated with calls from the BDP activists talking about the matter.
“I don’t have anything suggesting that the councillor might be preparing to leave the BDP. I have learnt from the media though that he is on his way out,” Mpuang said yesterday. He claimed that he did not have details about the other two councillors’ impending move.
Should the trio defect, the BDP will be left with only three councillors in the constituency.
Ramolotsane was reluctant to comment, as he had initially promised to do. Reached on his mobile phone, he even insisted that short message or SMS be used but he could not respond either.
Mmegi can confirm that unless a serious intervention is done for the trio to change heart, the BDP is destined to lose the three councillors who have long declared their issues with their MP. Moswaane was yesterday unavailable to comment on the matter.