Boko assigns consultants for BMD fracas
Tsaone Basimanebotlhe | Friday July 21, 2017 16:02
It is understood that this is an independent body that does not comprise people from any political parties. The body, according to a source was expected to start its job this week. “The independent body is expected to report to UDC national executive committee (NEC) when it meets.
The purpose of the body is to find ways of trying to unite opposition and strategies that could help UDC affiliates not to be infiltrated by outside enemies.
The body will also help UDC make recommendations to the NEC on whether there is need for a special congress or not,” a source said.
The source said the UDC president and Botswana People’s Party president Motlatsi Molapisi were expected to meet yesterday to discuss the matter. However the UDC NEC has not set the dates on which it would sit.
Questioned on the next meeting of the UDC NEC, the spokesperson Moeti Mohwasa said there was no date set.
The two BMD factions, one led by Sidney Pilane and the other by Ndaba Gaolathe, are expected to submit their names before UDC NEC for recommendations, a process which is expected to get the coalition executive to now intervene.
During its conference in Kang over the public holidays, the Botswana National Front (BNF) resolved that the UDC NEC should deal with BMD fracas. However, Boko speaking as BNF president, advised members that the BMD has its own constitution, which stipulates the rights and obligations of its members and sets out how the members relate with their organisation.
Boko said: “The BMD enjoys independence and autonomy even as it belongs to the UDC. Its membership of the UDC has not extinguished its right to self-determination as an organisation governed by a constitution and under a leadership elected by its members. Any issues regarding the affairs of the BMD including the installation of its leaders, are matters for resolution by the BMD itself”.
Boko further stated that any constituent party that makes the view that its internal challenges merit the intervention of the UDC may move to request such. “Absent to any such request, the UDC would be overstepping its legal powers to do so. In the current situation regarding the BMD, there has not been any request for intervention directed at either the UDC or any of the other constituent member parties,” he said.
Attempts to seek comment from both Molapise and Boko failed, as both were unavailable.