The ruling party goes to its 51st annual national council meeting at the Maharaja Conference Centre in Gaborone today with its executive secretary, Masalila suspended by President Ian Khama in what is seen as a prelude to a sacking. The suspension is with full pay following allegations of maladministration at the party headquarters at Tsholetsa House. Until his suspension on Monday, Masalila played a key role in the day-to-day party administration and planning of the national council meeting. The council is a body entrusted with reviewing the implementation of party policies as determined by the national congress.
"The party will use the meeting amongst others to review and appraise party programme. We will also review and consider national development programme," Lesetedi told Mmegi yesterday. The meeting will be attended by central committee members, MPs and regional and branch chairpersons and secretaries. The council meets once a year, but may meet extraordinarily when circumstances so demand or at the request of at least two thirds of the branches. This years meeting comes when BDP is preparing for its elections and women's wing polls. Already, members are tussling for positions ahead of the elections. "Issues of elections are likely to dominate President Khama's speech as it's critical for him to call for the party diehards to exercise restraint. Elections' time normally is a busier time and the party has often emerged bruised with divisive internal fights emerging post elections. So it is important for the leadership to encourage party members to accept defeat. It is the wish of the BDP leadership to hold smooth and incident free internal elections. Khama is expected to stress unity within the party ranks as it (unity) has often eluded the party," said Lesetedi.
