BDP top brass tackle Phikwe mayoral issue

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SELEBI-PHIKWE: Members of the ruling Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) central committee were on Saturday in Selebi-Phikwe to address, among others, the issue of the sour relationship between Mayor Lekang Mukokomani and his deputy, Godfrey Mbaiwa.

Delegates at the meeting held in Bosele Hotel included BDP chairman, Daniel Kwelagobe, national treasurer Satar Dada, Boteti Member of Parliament (MP), Lebonaamang Mokalake, BDP executive secretary, Dr Comma Serema and member of the NCC, Neo Kealotswe. Branch committees from the two Selebi-Phikwe constituencies were also present, according to a reliable source.  The senior party leadership is reported to have sent a stern warning to the deputy mayor and the branch committees were assigned to monitor the situation. Some nominated councillors implicated in the wrangling were also warned of serious consequences. 

Kwelagobe could not be drawn into discussing the issue though he confirmed that he was in Selebi-Phikwe. "Re ne re tletse dikgang tsa Domi tse di sa ameng media. Ke ne ke etetse nngwe ya dikgaolo tsa me re lekodisana ka tse re di lekodisanang," he said.  Despite the central committee's intervention, it remains to be seen if the two men will ever reconcile. Though they had pledged their support to each other in January they did not honour their words because more differences emerged just a month after the December retreat in Maun.  That was after a full council session in which the mayor was absent and ordered that the minutes from the previous council meeting should not be tabled in his absence. This did not go down well with councillors and Mbaiwa, who was not yet a deputy mayor, openly stated his displeasure. He even went to the extent of accusing the mayor of running the council as he pleased - and he (Mbaiwa) was shown the door.  Just out of nowhere Mbaiwa was elected deputy mayor and the two men pledged their support to each other and he (Mbaiwa) apologised for all the past events that were harmful to the mayor.  Former mayor Benjamin Bagayi said it is difficult to address such an issue, as it is sometimes a personal issue. "But if it were a professional and a technical issue it would be much easier. What I have observed is that thirst for power could be the source of the problem." He also indicated that he has observed that there are a lot of internal and external influences where councillors fail to draw a distinction between public servants and those holding political office.

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