BDP�s Mpuang still off the hook
Chakalisa Dube | Friday November 4, 2016 18:50
The demand came after Mpuang hit headlines when he allegedly bragged in a leaked tape about how his association with the Vice President and BDP chairperson, Mokgweetsi Masisi saved him from a disciplinary hearing.
Mpuang was then charged for de-campaigning the party at the Phillip Matante East by-election but was later cleared of wrongdoing.
Insiders within the BDP have noted that the party’s attempt to secure the leaked tape, which is regarded as the most important piece of evidence, has hit a snag. “Apart from the tape there is nothing much that can be used to open a case against him. Those with links to the tape are not willing to share it with the party,” a BDP insider said.
The Botswana Congress Party (BCP) activist Barulaganyi Mooketsi, who was a target for recruitment by Mpuang, leaked the tape to Mmegi.
Mpuang, who is also a former councillor in Francistown, denied knowledge of the leaked tape in a previous interview with Mmegi.
Yesterday he said the party has not questioned him. “My belief is that if the party had something against me, I could have been approached within a reasonable time for questioning,” he said.
In the leaked tape, Mpuang labelled current Francistown West councillors affiliated to the constituency of Member of Parliament Ignatius Moswaane as useless. He also appeared to be de-campaigning Moswaane.
In fact, Francistown councillors two months ago demanded that Masisi react publicly about issues allegedly raised by Mpuang because they portray the BDP as a party that embraces anarchy.
In fact councillors believe that Masisi’s persistent silence amplifies sentiments that remarks attributed to Mpuang might be true. Masisi is yet to meet the councillors’ demands.
In the leaked audio, Mpuang also declared that he is positioning himself for the Francistown West parliamentary primaries where he will likely challenge Moswaane. In addition, he allegedly stated that he declared that he is affiliated to Masisi’s faction while Moswaane and his councillors belong to Nonofo Molefhi’s camp.
Molefhi and Masisi are said to be positioning themselves for the BDP presidency position. The Francistown West branch believes that such conduct by Mpuang warrants stern disciplinary action. Yesterday, BDP secretary general Botsalo Ntuane gave an ambiguous response when contacted for comment.
“There are a number of issues that we are still seized with in the Francistown region as the BDP secretariat. We postponed them due to the Kalakamati by-election. Now that it’s over we will be addressing pending issues,” he said.
The BDP central committee currently has a pending complaint against the Francistown region committee. The complaint was also registered in August. Members in the constituencies that make up the region want the committee to be dissolved because they have rendered it ineffective.