BNF cllrs plot to ouster Moupo

EPHRAIM KEORENG
Staff Writer | Thursday February 11, 2010 00:00

Orapa councillor, Chilume Balopi told Mmegi that it is clear that Moupo and his central committee have failed to improve the fortunes of the party during the last general elections. He said that after the elections, BNF councillors in Central District met and agreed that they should lobby the masses to help unseat Moupo at the upcoming part congress in July. He said the councillors have been concerned about the deafening silence from the politburo after the general elections. They were surprised that when the leadership failed to do a post-mortem on what led to the party's dismal performance in the elections.

They faulted the leadership for suspending and firing party members on the eve of elections. Some of the members who were dismissed are former MP Robert Molefhabangwe and Nehemiah Modubule. Molefhabangwe has since joined the ruling Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) while Modubule stood as an independent and retained his Lobatse constituency.

The Central District councillors wrote a letter petitioning the committee to reinstate all party cadres who were suspended or fired from the party. Balopi said that their gesture was ignored. For four weeks they tried giving the letter to the BNF secretary general Mohammed Khan, but without success.

Former Gaborone mayor, Harry Mothei who acted as the messenger has told Mmegi that on many occasions, he tried to deliver the letter to the BNF leadership, but was unsuccessful because he was ignored. 'I then gave up, realising that they didn't want to receive it, hence I went back and gave the councillors their undelivered letter,' he said.

Balopi has said that only BNF councillor in the Central District supports Moupo. 'The councillors here (except one who supports Moupo) felt they were not being taken seriously by the leadership hence we convened in Mahalapye where some councillors from across the country supported our cause. They have mandated me to contact the media and share our thoughts with the public. I know the leadership will persecute me, but it is a decision that we took and we are not backing off,' he said.

The councillor said they are concerned that Moupo has warned people against lobbying for positions, though he has declared that he will defend his seat as BNF president. 'That is not fair. Does he want us to sit back and wait for him to finish lobbying and tell us 'guys you can start lobbying? No we can't. The clock is ticking quickly to July,' he said.

He explained that the Tonota meeting will come up with a lobby-list that will stand against the Moupo-led committee. Thomas Kgethenyane, councillor for Khumaga said that as far as they are concerned, Moupo's time as party leader is up. He said the leader has failed hence they are lobbying BNF members to replace him.

Meanwhile BNF spokesperson, Moeti Mohwasa has condemned the councillors for using the media to discuss their grievances. 'With due respect, the councillors know there are existing channels to follow when one has a complaint against anyone in the party. As far as I am concerned, the BNF has no councillors' forum, hence it is improper for them to convene these meetings claiming to address issues that affect the party's public image. They should be aware that by organising these meetings, they are eroding the very public confidence that they say is waning in the party. We should be working together for party unity. Procedure is such that when someone has been fired from the party, they have to appeal. However all the members who were fired did not appeal the decisions,' he said.

Mohwasa said that lobbying for positions for the central committee has not been sanctioned yet. He appealed to the councillors to use a meeting of the leaders' forum, expected in the near future, to discuss their concerns.

Moupo has declined to say whether he will seek re-election at the upcoming congress. Four months before the congress, he says it is too early for him to be answering such a question. 'It is premature to discuss that question. The party will announce in due course,' he said.