The alleged big players in Masisi�s victory
Ryder Gabathuse | Friday July 14, 2017 15:26
Roselyn Panzirah – BDP’s nominated councillor was spotted several times wielding a light brown Gucci bag stacked with a lot of money, which was allegedly used to buy delegates vote for the entire team Masisi. Panzirah was reportedly an errand girl who distributed money to the identified beneficiaries. She is a trusted ally of the re-elected BDP chairperson, Masisi who is often times referred to as the VP’s protocol lady. Two credible witnesses have seen the cash with their naked eyes from very close range.
Quizzed about her alleged role in the business of money, Panzirah proffered ignorance of the exercise and was totally dismissive of her role.
“I am very busy and you are wasting my time,” she said before hanging up. Despite her dismissal of the issue, she played a crucial role in ensuring that people were entertained from the faction’s mobile account.
Samsom Moyo Guma – Tati East legislator and a long time party financier of activities like congresses, is alleged to be one of the main controllers of the party purse at the congress. In a big way, he played an important role in determining who won the party’s weekend elective congress. By his nature, Guma is a generous politician who has been giving out too much to the party activities to the dislike of some party activists.
In a written response from Beijing, China, Guma was quick to ask how votes are bought indicating that he was not aware of any vote buying at the just ended BDP function.
“I did not get a donation in person from anyone nor was I in charge of the congress purse,” he said, admitting that he did make a contribution to the Masisi team and so are all other members of the team towards the campaign.
“I am not at liberty to disclose how much I donated,” he said.
Shaw Kgathi – Minister of Defence, Justice and Security, secured re-election over the weekend for the position of deputy secretary general, another important position in the party’s governing structure. Another Masisi trusted ally who reportedly played an important role in the control of the purse to the benefit of those targeted. In his response, Kgathi laughed off the allegations of the role he allegedly played in Tonota, and thundered that, “whoever said that was very good at manufacturing things beyond imagination.
“How people can originate such falsified information is scaring to say the least. I haven’t seen any money, that is, physical cash being splashed around. What I only saw is votes being cast in my favour,” he explained the story that he knows.
Modiri Lucas – The little known Modiri Lucas is the branch secretary for the Francistown South constituency. Lucas is a political novice who has risen to stardom instantly after letting out his farm to host the Camp Dubai. He was literally the cynosure of all eyes as all and sundry were interested in knowing who the host was. He gave the Camp Dubai a home when they needed it the most. The farm is strategically located just a stones’ throw from the congress venue at Tonota College of Education (TCE). Just under two kilometres distance. He did not charge the Camp Dubai anything, hoping that he will benefit immensely from their support as he is destined to contest the party’s Bulela Ditswe primaries as a parliamentary hopeful.
Camp Dubai was more like a ‘slaughterhouse’ as it was where the rival Nonofo Molefhi or ‘Team Marakanelo’ camp was destroyed, frustrated and defeated. All those who strayed into the camp were literally swallowed and never left it the same way but anointed in the name of Team Masisi.
Camp Dubai provided a hideout for the Team Masisi to fully strategise away from the prying eyes of the rival team. Satar Dada – As the party’s longest serving treasurer of 26 years, motor magnate Dada ensured that resources were available to ensure that Team Masisi had total control of the congress even before they were elected into office. He pulled strings from behind and assembled a very strong team of businesspersons who gave out what they could and produced Masisi victory.
Jagdish Shah - A shrewd businessman of Jack’s Gym and Township Rollers fame. BDP’s re-elected deputy treasurer made it possible that he splashed hefty amounts to make Camp Dubai what it was. He is reputed to have purchased over 500 tents at a cost of about P3, 500 each.