BDP serves Nkgakile double trouble

It never rains but pours for Treasurer of Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) National Youth Executive Committee (NYEC), Bruce Nkgakile.

While still reeling in shock this week after he was vetted out of participating in BDP primary elections, he suffered another heavy blow when BDP National Youth Executive Committee slapped him with a letter relinquishing him of his position as Treasurer.

At the beginning of this week Mogoditshane BDP Branch Chairman Kingston Mmolawa announced names of people minus Nkgakile who will be participating in the primary elections next month to challenge the incumbent, Sedirwa Kgoroba for 2019 general elections. 

This was followed with another letter that indicated that NYEC meeting has resolved that Nkgakile should be removed from office and subsequent to that a new Treasurer be appointed. His removal from office is allegedly linked to the disappearance of P27 000.00 donation made towards the Youth Wing. 

Nkgakile has revealed that the funds were used to purchase office furniture for NYEC. Nkgakile has argued that all these events are a witch-hunt by his detractors. He said that NYEC is not empowered to fire him from his post. “As things stand I am the Treasurer of NYEC. What was done is against the BDP NYEC Rules. Rule 7 (6) clearly states that NYEC can replace an ineffective officer. 

“So their argument is not ineffectiveness but they are saying misconduct. But still Rule 7 (7) stipulates that if it’s misconduct then NYEC can report me to the Disciplinary Committee”, he explained.

He has maintained that there are some members of NYEC who would want him out. In fact according to a letter addressed to party Secretary General, Mpho Balopi, last month Nkgakile accuses NYEC Chairman Simon Moabi of frustrating him and making it difficult for him to execute his duties. He stated that Moabi has halted the delivering of the furniture bought for NYEC office.

Nkgakile has pleaded with the secretary general for intervention to resolve the standoff between him and NYEC chairman. He claims in the letter that ever since he assumed office from the Tsabong Youth Congress early this year NYEC has always been divided. Moabi could not be reached for comment.