Barata-Phathi alarms BDP top brass

LEKOPANYE MOOKETSI
Correspondent | Monday March 22, 2010 00:00

The central committee is reported to have held three emergency meetings since Friday to address the issue. Another crisis meeting has been called for today.

On Friday, the central committee issued a statement to warn its members not to attend the Barata-Phathi meeting on Saturday. The central committee warned of dire consequences for BDP members who attend the meeting. But the Barata-Phathi members did not heed the call as they attended the conference in large numbers. Some prominent BDP members who were at the meeting include Sidney Pilane, Kabo Morwaeng, MPs Botsalo Ntuane, Tawana Moremi, Gilbert Mangole, Wynter Mmolotsi, Edward Raletobane, Samson Guma Moyo and former Okavango MP, Vista Moruti. It was agreed at the Barata- Phathi meeting that a new party should be formed. Despite the threats he issued on Friday, President Ian Khama seems to be willing to smoke the peace pipe. On Saturday, he sent BDP chairman Daniel Kwelagobe and treasurer Satar Dada to negotiate with Barata-Phathi.  Khama requested that Barata-Phathi send him a list of their grievances.

BDP secretary general, Thato Kwerepe said yesterday he was in the dark about what is happening because he was in Maun. Kwerepe confirmed that he would be attending a central committee meeting today. BDP executive secretary, Dr Comma Serema was not available for comment.

The fallout between Khama and the Barata-Phathi is a sequel to last year's BDP congress held in Kanye. Although Barata-Phathi were victorious in Kanye, Khama sidelined them. The last straw that broke the camel's back was the recent suspension of Morwaeng, Ntuane and Pilane. This culminated in the highly charged Saturday meeting where Barata-Phathi were unanimous about forming a new political party.