Pilane faction to submit documents
Staff Writer | Wednesday September 6, 2017 18:00
The faction appeared before the UDC NEC on Monday evening until early Tuesday morning. The other BMD faction led by Ndaba Gaolathe has also been given up to Thursday to submit some documents they promised to hand over when they appeared before the NEC recently. “If any of the warring factions doesn’t submit the papers we will conclude that they don’t have them.
The UDC NEC will meet on Friday to collect all the documents and meet again on Tuesday to compare notes,” said a source close to the meetings.
It is said the Botswana People’s Party (BPP) once again snubbed the meeting. The BPP is on record saying it will not participate in any efforts to resolve the BMD impasse if the Botswana Congress Party (BCP) is allowed to sit on those discussions. Their contention is that the BCP is not yet an admitted member of the UDC, the assertion that has been dismissed by the UDC leader Duma Boko. The BPP is also a strong sympathiser of Gaolathe’s faction in the BMD.
Sources close to the Monday discussion alleged that Pilane group’s biggest contention was that Gaolathe has not been following the party’s constitution since he became the president in 2014 after the demise of Gomolemo Motswaledi.
“They alleged that Gaolathe doesn’t respect the constitution. It is his way or the highway. Pilane’s faction has to submit evidence to back up their claims. They also claimed to be legitimate BMD leaders after the Matshekge Hill Secondary School elective congress in July,” the source said.
The UDC head of communications, Moeti Mohwasa confirmed the Monday meeting. He said they met the Pilane faction and are waiting for written submissions from both factions on Thursday.
“We will issue a press statement on Wednesday,” Mohwasa said. He also confirmed that the leadership will meet next Tuesday to determine the way forward.