BPF tight-lipped on Butale hearing

Butale is facing sexual harassment charges against a student party activist. His hearing was supposed to be in May this year. The hearing was then postponed to July, 2021. In July, the party postponed the hearing indefinitely. Butale would later be slapped with a suspension pending his disciplinary hearing. Last September the party said it could have long called Butale for a hearing, but COVID-19 restrictions have proven to be a challenge.

BPF secretary-general, Tshekedi Khama said as soon as the restrictions are lifted, Butale will be called for the hearing. However, two months after COVID-19 restrictions were lifted, Butale is yet to be called for the hearing. “Where we are now is that the disciplinary committee and Butale will have their conversation and decide when the hearing is. We are waiting for a report from them on what they intend to do,” BPF spokesperson Lawrence Ookeditse told Mmegi this week. He added: “The disciplinary committee needs to be allowed to do its job without us in the national executive committee (NEC) appearing to either rush or slow them down. It is a decision of the committee.