In its judgement, the DC indicated that it found Motswaledi guilty of undermining President Ian Khama because Kwelagobe did not make an appearance to defend him. The DC slapped a five-year ban on Motswaledi who was accused of bringing the name of the BDP into disrepute by releasing a statement chastising Collins Newman law firm, which had issued a press release to defend Khama against claims of dictatorship in running the party. The lawyers released a statement around mid-August to the effect that the president was right to appoint sub-committees of the party without consultations.
Motswaledi criticised the lawyers for acting outside of their mandate. In the following weeks Khama came out saying he had given the lawyers permission and thus subsequently suspended Motswaledi for 60 days. This issue remained central to the suspension of Motswaledi. In his defence, he argued that there is no way he could have known about the permission granted the lawyers by Khama. Motswaledi has maintained this as his defence.
