Makgalemele defects to BMD

EPHRAIM KEORENG
Staff Writer | Tuesday July 13, 2010 00:00

 

The legislator told Mmegi yesterday that he will make an announcement today about his move to the BDP splinter party after one of the councillors, Neo Magowe of Dovedale/Mmaphashalala Ward read a joint statement saying that the MP,  nominated councillor Bobby Babusi of Shoshong, BDP SHOMA chairman (Shoshong/Mahalapye) and former Kalamare councillor, Moses Ntwaagae have defected. The statement stated that the trio delayed resigning in the hope that the BDP leadership would engage in some self-introspection and address internal problems. They say that instead, the only thing that is being done by BDP leaders is addressing rallies where people are attacked and no attempt is being made to tackle the real problems facing the party. 'We very much supported calls by (Daniel) Kwelagobe (BDP chairman) that BDP introspects and had hoped he would be listened to. But we have since realised that Kwelagobe is not being taken seriously within the BDP, though what he is saying is true,' the statement said. It added that the politicians resigned mainly over poor inner-party democracy which continues to 'undermine policies currently being implemented...We started being concerned in the run-up to the 2009 BDP congress held in Kanye,' the statement added. The three politicians said they were particularly disappointed by lack of Botho by a then cabinet minister against Kwelagobe. They say that the suspension of former BDP secretary general and now BMD leader, Gomolemo Motswaledi was unnecessary, especially that it denied him the opportunity to stand for the 2009 general election.

Meanwhile, Magowe who is deputy chairman of the BDP SHOMA region told Mmegi that in his region people in Barata-Phathi faction were sidelined. 'The A-Team faction of the BDP was giving Barata-Phathi hell. These A-Team people called meetings behind our backs and made decisions without us, some of which were not in our favour.

One time in Mahalapye East, they chased away a ward chairman and his secretary from a meeting of the BDP. The Vice-President, Mompati Merafhe, whose constituency is in the SHOMA region, and other BDP leaders did not listen to our calls to address the state of affairs,' he said. Yesterdays resignations come after Shoshong MP Makgalemele was seen buying BMD paraphernalia at the party's rally in Mochudi over the weekend