Mabaila's fate will be delivered today
Tsaone Basimanebotlhe | Friday October 5, 2018 15:09
Mabaila is facing several charges said to be against the rules and regulations and General Code of Conduct of the ruling party which led party President Mokgweetsi Masisi to slap him with a two months suspension. The offences include behaving in a grossly disorderly and unruly manner that might put the party name in disrepute contrary to General Code of Conduct number 11 and sowing seeds of discord in the party, using regionalism, tribalism or factionalism contrary to General Code of Conduct number 6.
His case, which had been postponed before, was heard last Friday despite the absence of MP Sethomo Lelatisitswe and Minister of Health and Wellness Dr Alfred Madigele who had been summoned to give evidence in the matter.
The judgement will determine whether the BDP has to look for another candidate, or Mabaila will remain BDP’s chosen candidate. Observers say that any outcome is likely to divide the BDP at Mogoditshane village.
The Disciplinary committee was initially scheduled to deliver the verdict just before the country’s independence, but was postponed to October 9 as the 10th. BDP disciplinary hearing committee could not form a quorum.
The vice chairperson of NDC, Yame Kebabonye had written, “We invite you to, within 14 days of receipt of this notice, furnish us with your written statement of defence. The statement must be furnished to us through the party secretariat, at Tsholetsa House and kindly serve the complainant.”
Masisi had alleged that Mabaila, has committed offences against the rules and regulations and General Code of Conduct of the ruling party.
Another offence is contemptuous behaviour towards BDP leadership and other members contrary to General Code of Conduct number 7. “As a party member, you were obliged to abide by the constitution, rules and regulations of the party, and expected to promote the philosophy, policies and programmes as stated particularly in Article 14 sub-section 1 and 2 thereof.”
Mogoditshane branch secretary Ikanyeng Tshiamo had said, “he does not regard nor respect the existing branch committee and only uses the chairman and the branch treasurer to push his own agendas, address public BDP meetings without involvements of branch committee as a whole.
“He has actually established a faction, which is mostly made of his primary elections campaign team. This is against article 8 and 9 of the general code of conduct, as if this was not enough Mabaila posted on Mogoditshane WhatsApp group that former president, Ian Khama would visit Mogoditshane on August 10 and he would meet with democrats veterans”.
Tshiamo said this was done without proper consultation with relevant structures like the regional committee nor the branch.
The branch secretary continued; “he does not hide the fact that he is against our President Masisi as he has publicly declared that he has so much respect for Khama as he has mentored him and made him what he is and so does his loyalty lie with him”.