Democrats at each other�s throats in Francistown
Chakalisa Dube | Friday March 24, 2017 16:22
Masisi and Molefhi are vying for the coveted position of party chairman. The recently held Francistown region elective congress has deepened the rivalry that existed between supporters belonging to Masisi and those who are aligned to Molefhi.
The majority of those who have won the regional congress will decide who should be the BDP chairperson at the July Tonota elective congress.
Masisi’s team believes that the regional elections were characterised by irregularities. Molefhi’s supporters maintain the contrary.
They believe Masisi’s supporters want to unnecessarily engineer new regional elections with the hope of emerging victorious to solidify the latter’s chairpersonship bid.
Yesterday, BDP activist Ford Moiteela slapped the Francistown region leadership with a letter recommending that Francistown South branch secretary Modiri Lucas be called for a hearing to answer for allegations of incompetence. Moiteela, who is the Francistown South branch chairperson, is in Molefhi’s team while Lucas is on the opposing side.
In the letter Moiteela alleged that Lucas has failed to carry out his duties diligently. Lucas is also accused of sowing seeds of discord in the party.
As the secretary, Lucas’ main duties are to record minutes of the branch committee meetings, distribute and communicate party activities to members in the branch, among others.
Moiteela’s letter comes just days after a group affiliated to Masisi wrote a letter to the party disputing the Francistown region elections that were held two weeks ago.
Lucas was among those who masterminded the complaint submitted to Tsholetsa House. In fact early this week, Lucas was said to have been working on an attempt to lobby the Francistown region to call Moiteela for a hearing on grounds of incompetence.
Both Moiteela and Lucas’ actions are said to be fuelled by political gamesmanship. The duo are said to be among those who will be interviewed by a task team to investigate the controversy surrounding the recent Francistown region executive elections.
The meeting, which was supposed to be held yesterday, was postponed to next week because of the party's National Council that starts today.
Yesterday, Moiteela would not confirm nor deny that he has written a letter to the regional leadership demanding that Lucas be called for a hearing. “I am sorry I am not at liberty to confirm what you are asking me about,” Moiteela said.
Still yesterday, Francistown region chairperson Baemedi Medupe said he was not ready to comment on the matter. “The region is currently facing unrest hence talking to the media about sensitive party issues can fuel more unrest,” he said.
On the day, Lucas confirmed receiving the letter calling him for a hearing. “I have been working well with Moiteela. In fact the party has been more lively in the branch since I took over as the secretary. I believe my suspension has something to do with the upcoming July congress but I do not want to dwell much on the subject,” Lucas said.
He said he has been helping the branch members with his own resources and it is unfair to question his competence.