UDC To Dice With BMD Fate
Tsaone Basimanebotlhe | Tuesday October 3, 2017 19:00
The UDC is supposed to meet on October 6, 2017 to decide the fate of the BMD. BMD’s fate will either break or unite the UDC. When BMD split, UDC suffered a blow that saw the formation of a new party, Alliance for Progressives (AP), led by Ndaba Gaolathe.
“It is true, we are having a meeting soon. The agenda has not yet been made and it is difficult to say whether we will discuss the BMD issue or not,” UDC spokesperson, Moeti Mohwasa said.
Things have, however, taken a new twist with the committee refuting UDC president Duma Boko’s assertions that there is no legitimate BMD leadership due to circumstances in which the elections were held.
With the Ndaba faction’s divorce from the BMD to form a new party, taking a power-sharing deal off the table, a re-run is still called for, as some UDC members are not convinced of Pilane’s legitimacy.
Boko had said in a recent radio interview that he was making it clear by stating that the environment in Bobonong was not conducive for a free and fair congress, which made votes for Pilane’s succession void.
However, the BMD which has already written a letter seeking recognition by the UDC are steadfast that they are part of the coalition and would be sending their representatives soon.
“The BMD remains a member of the UDC as it has always been a founding member. The BMD continues to occupy four NEC seats in positions of leadership at UDC.
We are only waiting for notification of the next meeting to send our representatives to the UDC meeting just as we have been appropriately taking part in all UDC activities,” BMD spokesperson, Rasina Rasina said. BMD president, Sidney Pilane, in a recent radio interview said the BMD is a legal member of the UDC.
He also said there is no one who can suspend or expel the BMD from the coalition, suggesting that the written letter of request for recognition is just a formality.
Pilane added the UDC has no power in deciding the affairs of the BMD, which in itself is a contradiction since his faction played party to the coalition’s intervention and mediation that they could have refuted.