BDP NYEC treasurer Nkgakile kicked out for "theft"
Tsaone Basimanebotlhe | Thursday September 7, 2017 09:09
Highly placed sources told Mmegi yesterday that the NYEC met this week where the resolution was taken. The NYEC chairman, Simon Mavhange reportedly called the meeting earlier this week.
However, NYEC secretary general, Thabo Autlwetse said while he had not attended the meeting due to other commitments, it would not have been proper to fire Nkgakile as no formal complaint had been brought against him.
“I treat that as a rumour, but if the meeting was called to discuss the issue of Nkgakile, then there was a need to inform members and make an agenda.
“Again, I doubt if the committee has informed itself of the procedures and powers the committee has,” Autlwetse said. It is reported the theft allegations stem from sponsorship raised by Nkgakile and the subsequent purchase of furniture for the NYEC.
On August 9, Nkgakile wrote to BDP secretary general, Mpho Balopi requesting intervention over “harassment by the NYEC chairman Mahvange”.
The letter reads in part: “Upon assuming office as the treasurer, I was instructed by the committee and the chairman to raise funds for a retreat, and also to get furniture as the NYEC office was without furniture and we were meeting in the boardroom which sometimes was booked for other activities.
“I successfully raised P27, 000 which I directed the sponsor to pay to the party, which the sponsor did. I then wrote to the treasury office requesting for the release of funds to purchase the furniture which I did. In facilitating all this, I was in constant communication with the chairman and our secretary general. There is no dispute to this end. I purchased four office desks, four chairs and one visitor chair”.
Nkgakile told Mmegi he was shocked when he saw newspaper reports to the effect that he had stolen funds. “The chairman started sidelining me. He calls meetings without inviting me and he has held one in my region, without giving me notice,” Nkgakile said.
He added that he had been informed about his axing, but was preparing to challenge the decision.
“It is true they called me and informed me of their decision. I still remain youth treasurer until they follow the right procedure and charge me with misappropriation.
They cannot communicate with me through a phone call. I am waiting for their letter,” Nkgakile said. Mahvange did not respond to repeated attempts to reach him on his mobile phone.
The BDP NYEC rules and regulations state that the committee can “replace any member of the committee who is proved to be inefficient or recommend any member of the committee who contravenes any provision of the party constitution, to the appointment and disciplinary committee for action”.
The rule further states that “Otherwise, the National Youth Chairperson and youth executive shall deal with all disciplinary measures within the youth wing”.
However, within the framework of the BDP constitution, NYEC is a wing and can only recommend who to suspend or fire. Only the party’s central committee, through the president, can suspend or fire a member.
The BDP NYEC has not been at peace since members from different lobby lists were elected mid-February.
In April, an uneasy truce was broken after Nkgakile sued additional member, Collen Mochotlhi for P250, 000 accusing him of defamation, following remarks made in a Whatsapp group.