BDP expels Mmolotsi

LEKOPANYE MOOKETSI
Correspondent | Friday May 21, 2010 00:00

 

The secretary of the committee, Lee Lesetedi, confirmed that Mmolotsi was expelled because he did not attend the disciplinary meeting.  Lesetedi said the MP was informed to appear before the committee in good time.

Mmolotsi was charged for attending the Barata-Phathi faction meeting in March where the idea of forming a breakaway party from the BDP was mooted. His disciplinary hearing was postponed earlier this month after he went to Brazil on parliamentary business.

The MP had notified the committee that he would be away. When he was contacted, Mmolotsi said he did not attend yesterday's hearing because he was never formally invited.  'I only read in the newspapers that the disciplinary hearing was to be held today,' he said.

Mmolotsi said when you are summoned to a disciplinary hearing you are supposed to be written a letter which you sign.  He said he was never given that letter. The fiery legislator said he was not surprised that he was fired because the BDP disciplinary committee is in the business of expelling people.  'They are used to expelling people.  To me it doesn't matter,' he said.  Mmolotsi said he would have attended the disciplinary hearing had he been invited.  But he said he never expected justice from the members of the disciplinary committee.  Actually he said he could have just attended the disciplinary hearing to discredit its individual members. 

He said he would have picked on them one by one because they are not credible people.  He added that at the end of the day, the committee would have been dissolved because there was no one who could try him. To him the members of the committee are not credible individuals whom he does not hold in high regard.  He said he is glad that the party has expelled him.  Mmolotsi said since last year he has never had peace in the BDP.  He recalled that there was a time last year when he nearly had high blood pressure because of the stress that was caused by the BDP.   'I will live longer now,' he said.

Mmolotsi denied that he have never joined the newly formed Botswana Movement for Democracy (BMD).   'I have not joined the BMD because it has not been registered,' he said.  He has always considered himself a BDP member and this is why he attended the recent party rally which was addressed by President Ian Khama in Francistown. The MP said he is going back to his constituents to map the way forward.  'I will consult with my constituents about my next political move'.

Mmolotsi is the fourth member to be expelled by the BDP in a month.

Other MPs who have been expelled by the party are Botsalo Ntuane, Gilbert Mangole and Samson Guma Moyo who are all associated with the BMD. President Khama is expected to address a rally in Old Naledi today to talk about the newly formed breakaway party.  Khama addressed a similar meeting in Francistown where he dismissed people who are leaving the BDP as power hungry.