Ndaba, allies regroup amid breakaway claims
Tsaone Basimanebotlhe | Thursday May 18, 2017 18:00
The meeting, designed to map a way forward, is being held despite BMD secretary general Gilbert Mangole barring Gaolathe from holding party activities. The ban was contained in the letter suspending Gaolathe from his position.
The suspension of Gaolathe, South East district council chair, Phenyo Segokgo and five other leading BMD members, by an opposing faction of the party led by its chairman, Nehemiah Modubule and Mangole, has led to sympathisers of the fallen president organising the weekend crisis Pitso.
Authoritative sources told Mmegi the weekend meeting will be held under the theme “Taking Back the Movement to the People”.
Sources said discussions could involve the possibility of Gaolathe and others breaking away to form a new party.
“Some of the speakers at Letlhabile will include BMD vice president, Wynter Mmolotsi, BMD women’s league president Joyce Mothudi, BMD president Gaolathe amongst others.
“After their presentations, members are expected to express their views to their leadership and what they think is best for them. Already some are saying they do not see the need to attend the Bobonong congress. They want the Gaolathe team to form their own party,” a source said.
Insiders in the Gaolathe camp said some supporters want their leadership to go to Court for the suspension to be set aside. Another source said the two camps could even clash in Court over the name “BMD”.
“The two factions cannot work together again, even if reconciliation is forced,” the source said.
Gaolathe and Segokgo have been suspended for 90 days and in that period they are not allowed to participate in any activities of the movement, formal or informal, official, nor perform any of the functions nor exercise any of the powers entailed by their position.
However the two are allowed to only perform duties entailed by their office as councillor and MP, but not to interact with the constituents in the name of the movement.
BMD has eight Members of Parliament of which only two belong to Modubule/Mangole faction while the rest support Gaolathe/Mmolotsi faction. Yesterday Modubule refused to comment on the latest developments. “Of course the National Executive Committee met but I cannot comment on the issue of suspensions and who is acting,” he said.
On the other hand, Molepolole South MP, Tlamelo Mmatli who is alleged to be the acting BMD president, denied the claims.
“Bakaulengwe, I am not acting president of the BMD,” he said on his Facebook page yesterday. Mmegi has also learnt that BMD’s NEC is divided on the suspensions, particularly the decision to drop Gaolathe.