Mass resignations from the BDP expected

RYDER GABATHUSE
Staff Writer | Friday May 7, 2010 00:00

This follows the BDP secretariat's warning of a number of politicians expected to appear for disciplinary hearings today, Saturday and Sunday. Mmegi has since learnt that some of these politicians have sworn not to honour the hearings and instead prepare for the impending launch of the BMD.

Three known Barata-Phathi activists have already resigned from the party before they could appear before the disciplinary committee. The first to turn the Ambrose Masalila chaired committee into a circus was Ndaba Gaolathe, who handed in his letter of resignation when he was expected to honour the hearing.

MP Botsalo Ntuane who has been instrumental in the formation of the BMD was expected to resign from the BDP yesterday, prior to his appearance before the disciplinary committee. Two BDP ex-councillors, Binkie Kerileng and Freddie Ramodise have already resigned from the BDP days before they were expected to appear before the disciplinary committee. Kerileng was scheduled to appear this coming Saturday whilst Ramodise was billed for Sunday.

Others expected to make an appearance for the  Saturday hearing include Tati East MP, Guma Moyo, Francistown South MP, Wynter Mmolotsi and Kgatleng West MP Gilbert Mangole. On Sunday it is Sonny Moatlhodi, Francistown Mayor, Shadreck Nyeku and another activist only identified as Dr. Thupeng.

Lee Lesetedi, who is the secretary of the BDP disciplinary committee, has confirmed the schedules for disciplinary hearings and the resignations of Kerileng and Ramodisa from the BDP. Already some of those set to appear for the hearing have indicated that they are not interested at all.

MP Moyo told Mmegi yesterday, ' I am busy mobilising resources for the BMD and would not have time for these people. Why don't they discipline their own people?'  He presented himself as a servant of the people who was concerned with issues of the people. 'I would not subject myself to unnecessary abuse. I hold my parliamentary seat in trust and cannot waste the people's time on BDP petty political issues,' he said.

Mmolotsi told Mmegi yesterday he was in the dark about the set date of the hearing. ' I know that they have a charge against me, but I am not aware of the date of the hearing. As to whether I will attend or not is only dependant on my constituency programme and if I don't get the notification in time, and it clashes with my constituency programme then I will not attend.'

He did not want to say whether he would resign from the BDP like his colleagues or not. 'It's unfortunate that I have not been invited for a hearing because I think it would be nice to appear before the disciplinary committee,' he said amid laughter. Mmegi can however, reveal that Mmolotsi is going to resign on the date of the hearing.Efforts to reach the Kgatleng West MP, Gilbert Mangole were unsuccessful.

However there are reports that he is likely to resign before the disciplinary committee, like the rest of his colleagues.

Francistown Mayor, Nyeku who is among those billed to appear before the disciplinary committee on Sunday has confirmed, ' I will not waste my time appearing before a committee that will not serve any purpose to me after all.By the way, I have not done anything wrong to anyone and that's my stand,' maintained Nyeku.