Masisi, Nkate feud reaches boiling point
Boniface Keakabetse | Friday March 24, 2017 16:24
Following the fallout between the two, a team of North West District councillors including Okavango sub district chairperson Mbaha Kambimba, North West District deputy chairperson, Lathang Molonda and Maun administrative authority deputy chairperson Nico Folae confronted Masisi over the weekend, seeking answers on his relationship with Nkate. They hit a blank, though.
Masisi was here for the BDP Women’s wing congress and the team met up with him at the Maun Lodge, the same Saturday the congress was ongoing.
The group allegedly wanted Masisi to explain why he had dropped Nkate from his lobby list. It is understood that Masisi said he would only talk if it was Nkate who sent them. After explaining that they came on their own, Masisi reportedly denied ever dropping Nkate.
Masisi then made it clear to the group that he was not in a position to discuss the issue any further.
Finding themselves with limited options, the team then resolved to send the MP for Maun East, Konstantinos Markus and Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Slumber Tsogwane who is also Boteti West MP, to prevail upon Masisi.
A source close to the issue explained that it is Markus who sealed a deal for Masisi and Nkate to form a single unit, adding that they believed Markus can broker peace on the issue. However, Markus denied ever being assigned to broker a peace deal between the two, or any knowledge that senior party members have been roped in to find everlasting peace between the two members.
Another source explained that they asked Nkate to apologise to Masisi over the statements he made recently in the media that his support to Masisi only goes as far as the chairpersonship and not the Presidency.
“The problem with them is pride. Both Masisi and Nkate feel that the other needs the other. Nkate is not ready to kneel before Masisi,” a BDP insider said.
While not confirming nor denying the meeting with the VP, Kambimba attested to being both a Masisi and Nkate supporter. He also confirmed that they are pushing for Nkate and Masisi to work together.
“When we heard that the duo had ironed out their differences to work together, we were happy as we support them all. We still hope they will collaborate.”
Kambimba said they are still consulting to see the two iron out their differences.
Nkate confirmed the meeting between the VP and a delegation comprising councillors and senior party members.
He stated that the group convened the meeting at its own volition. He said he was not aware that Masisi has dropped him from his lobby list since he (Masisi) has never informed him him about the developments.