BDP youth suspensions likely to backfire
Chakalisa Dube | Friday January 26, 2018 18:33
The ruling party recently suspended Thabo Autlwetse, Onneile Segwai, Bruce Nkgakile, Thatayaone Serema, Bonang Morapedi, Kitso Mazebedi, Sekano Bodio and Patience Kaego. Kabo Ketshogile, who was suspended resigned before the disciplinary hearing took place.
The six men were initially given a 60-day suspension last year. The two-year suspension was imposed on them after a disciplinary hearing early last week.
Political commentator Ndulamo Morima said that based on the prevailing circumstances, the BDP could have gone for a mediation process instead of a disciplinary process.
Some observers have described the suspensions as a ‘clear act of purging’ those who are not affiliated to Vice President and party chairperson, Mokgweetsi Masisi. A faction associated with Masisi, which is now in charge at the BDP is said to be on a mission to solidify its position across various party structures.
It is common knowledge that the suspended NYEC members are associated to cabinet Minister Nonofo Molefhi who challenged Masisi for the position of chairperson at the BDP elective congress last year.
Six members who some within the BDP say are affiliated to the Masisi faction have since been co-opted into the BDP NYEC. Molefhi’s backers dominated the NYEC prior to the suspensions.
“It is clear that there have always been divisions within the NYEC since it was voted in last year. To me the divisions were influenced by nothing but political gamesmanship. Under these circumstances, by not exploring mediation it solidifies the impressions by some members that the remaining NYEC faction is favoured by the central committee and other key bodies of the party,” Morima said.
Before their initial suspensions last year, the six members suspended the NYEC chairperson, Simon Mavange who is said to be very close to Masisi. The six had accused Mavange of masterminding the suspension of Nkgakile. They reinstated Nkgakile before the supreme leadership of the party suspended them.
“The perception (of favouritism within the BDP) might not be real, but it can fuel conflicts and rekindle factionalism within the party,” Morima noted.
The political commentator also said that the timing of the suspensions is not ideal. He said that the BDP is at a critical phase of the primaries, which would inevitably be punctuated by infighting and protest.
“Should there be negative effects brought by the suspension of the six members, coupled with tension associated with the primaries, the party is likely to be weakened and incapacitated to launch a very formidable fight against the opposition at the next general elections,” Morima said. Just days after the party’s first round of the primaries, tension has already begun building up in some constituencies. Some losing candidates are protesting the results, as they are of the view there were irregularities at the elections.
Masisi will also be soon taking over as the state President and it is vital for him to inherit a party that is unified and coherent according to Morima. He said that if the party is polarised as a result of factionalism and internal squabbles, he might struggle to effectively lead it in its agenda to dominate the 2019 general elections.
The political commentator also said that the suspended members are likely to retaliate in future.
“If they get an opportunity to lead the party they are likely to use their political leverage to act against those who directly and indirectly maligned them. This means that the factionalism within the party will not end. Lack of a proper mediation process (during conflicts) is one the reasons the BDP has often been riddled with infighting and factionalism,” he said.
In response, the BDP communications and international relations subcommittee chairperson Fish Pabalinga stated that “A coup of an elected leader is a serious offence. There is no agenda against anyone. The suspensions are justified based on the nature of the offence. The party does encourage mediation, but it depends on the nature of the offence”.
He also said that those who say that a faction backed by Masisi is on a mission to purge opposing figures within the party are not looking at things objectively. “I am not even aware of a faction associated with Masisi in the BDP,” he said.