Tensions ahead of July congress
Tsaone Basimanebotlhe | Friday May 26, 2017 15:24
The recent victim is Lerala East councillor, Kabo Ketshogile who is suspended by party President Ian Khama for 60 days pending disciplinary hearing. This is the fifth person aligned to Molefhi team to be suspended.
Some of the suspended members aligned to Molefhi include Kabelo Mhuriro, Ogaufi Nthobelang and councillors Duncan Enga and Vepaune Moreti. Enga and Moreti are councillors in the North West District Council (NWDC).
Ketshogile was slapped with his suspension letter last Friday. Ketshogile is the political officer for national youth executive committee (NYEC) and vice chairperson for Palapye administration.
“I can confirm that indeed I am suspended from the party. I understand two people have written complaints against me to party central committee. One of the complaints is from NYEC chairperson Simon Mavange and another BDP member from Maun who are aligned with Masisi team. Mavange claims that I failed to use respectful words when I said that party President Khama is encouraging factions if he could openly tell democrats that he is supporting Masisi over another candidate which he did,” Ketshogile said.
He continued; “I thought party national council allows every member the right to speak and I don’t think I was disrespecting the President or any elder”. Ketshogile is also accused of assaulting a party member, which he says it shocked him because there is no assault case reported to neither police nor that incident happening.
However Ketshogile said he is seeking legal opinion on the issue raised by his complainants. “I believe I am suspended in the party because these people had misinformed the President,” he said.
The BDP secretary general, Botsalo Ntuane said; “Well because the questions you are asking border on the subjudice it wouldn’t be advisable to respond to them in case we prejudice the pending disciplinary process”.