S/Phikwe East finally elects delegates

Onalenna Kelebeile | Friday July 7, 2017 15:51

 

Kgang Kgang conducted elections that saw the Nonofo Molefhi camp dominating over those who support Vice President Mokgweetsi Masisi for the party chairmanship. Member of the central committee and Women’s Wing chairperson, Dorcas Makgato, was also sent by the party to observe the elections. 

The June 25 ward congress meeting that was meant to elect the delegation is reported to have degenerated into chaos as some party members argued that the meeting should elect a ward committee not congress delegates while others argued to the contrary.

This prompted some party members to petition the branch committee. Others were reported to have argued that the meeting was unconstitutional as attendants did not form a quorum to elect delegates and that cell congresses were not held prior to the branch committee meeting. In fact, the branch committee had received about four protests, some from individuals over alleged irregularities.  In a letter that was written by one party member who preferred anonymity to the regional committee, it was stated that party members from other constituencies interfered with the branch’s plans by forcefully taking control of setting up structures and selecting their preferred delegates to the branch congress.

She explained that the cause of failure of the previous meeting to elect delegates was due to the fact that delegates from five wards were improperly selected because of non-existence of cell structures.

It is also reported that lack of amicable conclusion between branch committee members prompted the chairperson to seek the intervention of the regional committee. In the absence of a satisfactory response from the regional committee it was reported that a letter was written to the central committee requesting it to nullify the election of delegates that was held on June 28. The central committee was also asked to intervene in resolving the matter because it was alleged that some branch and regional committee members were conflicted hence were not in good standing to resolve the matter without taking sides.

The letter to the central committee also alleged that the branch and the regional committees were spearheading campaigns for some people who are contesting for central committee positions. It also ordered the central committee to treat the matter urgently as it had the potential to tear the Selebi-Phikwe East constituency apart. There were also reports that the whole scenario at the constituency was also meant to sabotage area MP Molefhi by either forcing delegates who belong to Masisi’s camp or to have no delegates from the constituency at all.

Prior to the successful elections that were held on Wednesday evening Kgang said he was sent to observe and oversee the election process so that it is done in a constitutional manner. He clarified that the elections were for the Tonota delegates congress and not structures. Kgang said he has observed that the electorate is the ones who are causing unrest in the constituency while Molefhi is just an innocent man.

“The main issue here is that the constituency must have delegates,” he added.  Makgato on the other hand said all ruling party members enjoy equal membership and everyone has the right to vote.  “Go and vote as you wish and the constitution will guide you,” she added.

Makgato said she would have failed dismally, as a central committee member if the constituency could have failed to produce delegates at the weekend congress.