BCP cllrs plot against Phikwe deputy mayor

CALISTUS KOLANTSHO
Correspondent | Friday February 19, 2010 00:00

He said he is aware that some councillors from the Botswana Congress Party (BCP) are planning to pass a vote of no confidence in him for incompetence but whether it will be effective remains to be seen.

He said he knows the names of councillors who are planning to topple him. He explained that the move is being fuelled by one faction of BCP councillors. 'I even confronted one of them about the issue. I told him that such things will expose us to enemies and must be avoided. We are now pulling in the same direction as the BDP that does not want Mukokomani,' said Mponwane.

The BCP councillors have accused the deputy mayor of failing to turn up for council meetings or coming late. 'It seems like he is scared of his position and does not know his responsibilities.

The man seems lost. Even at his ward (Botshabelo North) people are complaining about his performance and others are swearing that they will not vote for him in the coming polls,' said a BCP councillor who preferred to remain anonymous. The motion of no confidence is planned for the up coming full council meeting at the end of the month.

A BCP councillor said Mponwane's performance is marring the image of the party and eroding the support it gained during the general elections. He added that voters will start painting all BCP councillors with the same brush of failure due to the behaviour of one individual.

He stated that when Mponwane took over as deputy mayor, they expected a lot from him but they have since been disappointed. Thakadiawa ward BCP councillor, Evelyn Kgodungwe laughed off the allegations against Mponwane, saying they are news to her. She asked to be given time to consult before commenting on the issue. Botshabelo East councillor, Kgakgamatso Ramatlopi said he cannot support the motion.

He stated that if he is not happy with Mponwane's performance, he would rather give him advice than to topple him. 'As members of the party, we must work as a team and we cannot remove our comrade from office,' he explained.

Sesame South ward councillor, Godfrey Mbaiwa of the ruling Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) said they are tired of scandals and Mponwane should be given a chance to complete his term before being judged. 'We should give him time to prove himself. I am just saying this but it is up to the BCP councillors to decide. Maybe they have other issues that they are looking at that we are not aware of.  The ball is in their court,' he said.

He said they have long complained that the mayoral elections were not carried out according to the Township Act and they even tabled a motion to that effect but it was later withdrawn.

Mbaiwa said if the motion of no confidence is passed against Mponwane, it will affect the image of Selebi-Phikwe. He told councillors to focus on delivery and not petty issues.

Mponwane became deputy mayor in dramatic fashion last year when the mayor, Lekang Mukokomani, backed him in a tie-break, when it was expected that he would throw his weight behind the ruling party contestant. Mukokomani is from the ruling party but used his casting vote to give Mponwane of the BCP the deputy mayor's post. This caused deep divisions in the BDP ranks in Selebi-Phikwe with the national office stepping in to punish the mayor.