DK distances himself from Barata-Phathi

The Barata-Phathi stalwart, who has been missing in action from the faction, said Kagiso and Opelo Kwelagobe are adults and represented themselves at the meeting. "They are not under 18 are they? We are talking of adults. They did not even have to let me know that they were going there," DK said. He added that the presence of the duo at the meeting was coincidental. He said he has hope that peace can still be brokered to avoid a BDP split.

"Yes, we are trying that. I think we can. That is what we are doing (brokering peace). One hopes that it can be achieved (peace)," Kwelagobe said in a brief telephone interview. There is talk that despite the quit notice given to members of Barata-Phathi faction on Monday by the BDP, President Ian Khama met yesterday with former presidents Festus Mogae and Ketumile Masire to find a peaceful resolution to the troubles bedevilling the party.