New twist in BDP suspension saga

TSHIRELETSO MOTLOGELWA
Staff Writer | Friday March 12, 2010 00:00

The Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) suspension saga took a different turn this week after a secret plan was hatched to bring President Ian Khama and members of Barata-Phathi together to smoke the peace pipe. The plan by party treasurer, Satar Dada and chairman Daniel Kwelagobe to bring Khama and legislator Botsalo Ntuane, lawyer Sidney Pilane and political activist Kabo Morwaeng together to talk peace is said to be in its early stages.

This week, the peacemakers were attempting to hold meetings with the warring parties. Although he did not want to give details, Dada confirmed to Mmegi that a process is in motion to convince Khama and the three party members who are targeted for suspension to make peace. 'You know we are trying. We always try. As party elders, whenever there is a disagreement within the party, we are always concerned so we try to bring people together to find an amicable solution to the problem,' said Dada. He indicated that the process is still in its infancy and he would not want to divulge more information.

However BDP spokesperson Comma Serema denied that there is a plan to have a meeting between Khama and the trio. 'We at the party are not aware of any such plan. We have not been informed of that plan officially if it does exist,' he said. However, he could not rule out the existence of such a plan at an informal level. 'Any member is free to meet with the party president on any matter they deem important and if the president gives them time then that is possible. It does not mean that we would necessarily be informed of such,' he explained.

Meanwhile Pilane confirmed to Mmegi that he spoke with Dada about the issue and that Kwelagobe visited him at his law office but the two could not meet due to time constraints. 'We did speak on the phone with Dada, but our discussions were inconclusive. Later in the week, Kwelagobe came to my office to see me, but due to my engagements on the day, I could not get enough time for him to properly brief me,' said Pilane. He added that they remain open to discussions that could bring peace to the party as long as it is dealing with problems in a broad way. He cautioned that such a plan should not include 'finger-pointing where some are trouble makers and some are peace-makers'. Pilane added that the problems in the party are caused by a multitude of issues and players. He warned that any simplistic approach that apportioned blame would not work. 'Furthermore, we would not accept any sort of plan that includes asking us to apologise because we do not think we have done anything wrong,' he said.

This week, it was reported that Pilane, Ntuane and Morwaeng are waiting for disciplinary action from the party.Although some media reports indicated they had been charged by midweek, the three had not been served with letters by last evening. This follows a Central Committee meeting earlier this week where it was concluded that Khama be given the leeway to take action against the trio who are accused of colluding with the opposition.However Khama and the trio differ over the details of the matter.

Khama is said to have come to the conclusion that the three worked with the opposition after he instigated an investigation by secret individuals.

However the three maintain that they want access to the report and to be informed about the charges against them but Khama would hear none of this.