GCC Mayoral Election Divides UDC
Tsaone Basimanebotlhe | Monday April 24, 2017 15:28
The UDC held a press conference on Friday to announce that their caucus has agreed to endorse Kagiso Thutlwe as their mayor for GCC and Kagiso Tshekega as his deputy. Thutlwe’s term and his deputy is coming to an end today (Monday). The mayoral election will be held tomorrow (Tuesday).
When briefing the media, UDC spokesperson Moeti Mohwasa said as the party, they had to intervene to try to resolve the differences that the GCC councillors were having regarding the mayor seat.
“It has been all over the papers and radios that our councillors for the GCC were having differences. As the parties, Botswana National front (BNF), Botswana Movement for Democracy (BMD) and Botswana Congress Party (BCP) we were forced to reconcile them.
The truth is, councillors are representing parties at the council not an individual, but we did hold a successful elections which was contested by four people and Thutlwe and Tshekega won,” Mohwasa said.
He said people who contested were Thutlwe, Tlogatloga councillor Rhoda Sekgororoane, Naledi North councillor Oarabile Motlaleng and Marulamantsi councillor Sergeant Kgosietsile.
Mohwasa said the caucus resolution is binding to all councillors and parties would take action if other members may decide to go against it.
He continued: “As the party we will continue to engage councillors and guide them. We have even asked them to look for party members who will help them on how they could allocate themselves for council committees”.
However, Sekgororoane openly said: “What am I expected to say in this press conference. There is no way I can accept the results if they are even uncomfortable to give them to the media.
Elections are not yet over, the main one is on Tuesday. That’s when I will decide on whether to put a name or not.”
Councillor Motlaleng said he accepted the results since the majority had opted to vote for Thutlwe.
“I cannot go against what the caucus has agreed on. The party decision comes first. Of course I have my style of leadership, which I believe was better than Thutlwe’s.
Again party elders, including BCP secretary general, Kentse Rammidi, BMD secretary general, Gilbert Mangole and Mohwasa have talked to us about the importance of cooperation and unity as a party. Why should we go against their words?”