BNFYL defy party national conference
Tsaone Basimanebotlhe | Tuesday August 8, 2017 16:09
In a statement released over the weekend, the BNFYL has called on the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) national executive committee to consider calling for another elective congress for the BMD.
The recent BNF conference in Kang had resolved that the party constitution did not allow them to interfere on BMD matters, but rather the UDC national executive committee (NEC) should resolve the matter quickly. The UDC NEC will discuss the BMD issue on August 12.
“We submit that given all that happened at Bobonong, we reject any outcome of the two congresses. We are of the highly and carefully considered view that the two congresses lacked integrity and were found wanting on the principle of a free, fair and democratic election requirement: a value we so hold dearly in our hearts.
“On that footing, there can be no doubt that there is a need for a fresh election with integrity supervised by the UDC as the motherbody. We call on both factions to give UDC the necessary space to deal with this issue,” BNFYL secretary general, Osenotse Mabote said in their statement.
When questioned if their youth league is not defying the party resolution after their motion was defeated at Kang, Mabote said, “We are simply giving an advice to UDC executive committee.
Our committee would respect any decision that is taken by UDC NEC. We are not giving them any ultimatum”.
The youth league said the UDC could not entertain an election that was marred by violence and bloodshed.
The BNF youth said they were worried that it appears that the UDC leadership seemed to entertain what was supposed to be BMD congress in Bobonong.
“This is despite apparent evidence of an onslaught on democratic values central to which is a free and fair election.
The BMD as a member of the UDC has acted in all manners that defy the simple benchmark of a free election, hence defeating democracy values that we uphold as a nation.
We regret to express our disappointment in this regard and call for the UDC to take proper corrective action against the BMD to ensure it adheres to the values of the UDC,” Mabote said.
In response, the BNF spokesperson Justin Hunyepa said the party national conference is the highest decision-making body and its resolution binds all party structures, including BNFYL.
“The youth league knows very well that this issue was discussed at the conference through party commissions and they were part of those commissions. Party resolution binds every member or a structure.
There is no structure that is bigger than the party conference or congress.
Whatever they are saying does not apply because BNF has a stand or resolution on the matter,” Hunyepa said. He would not be drawn into discussing whether the party would discipline the league or not.