BMD claimants spoiling for day in court

The Secretary General of Botswana Movement for Democracy (BMD), Gilbert Mangole has warned the rival faction led by Ndaba Gaolathe that they will meet in court to solve their differences. Last Thursday, Gaolathe faction through their attorneys, Collins Chilisa wrote to Mangole’s faction requesting them to hold another congress failing which they will go to court.

Addressing the media this week, Mangole said, “We have just gone through a costly congress, we find no reason to hold another and have no intention of doing so. We will meet them in court.” According to Mangole the just ended controversial Bobonong elective congress cost them half-a-million Pula. “We find no reason to hold another congress and we have no intention of doing so. Our comrades can freely do so but they do not know the expense that has gone into organising that congress.

They are at liberty to dream about another congress,” warned Mangole. He also revealed that the Gaolathe faction has already decided which judge they want and that they intend to forum shop by manipulating the system using contacts they have in the High Court. “Feel free to take whatever legal action you want to take. We shall meet in court,” vowed Mangole. Speaking to Dr Phenyo Butale who is the Secretary General in Gaolathe’s faction, he said they have not yet received a response from Mangole’s faction as per their letter of demand.

They have given Mangole faction until Monday this week to respond. “Obviously we will go to court but we shall wait for other parallel structures handling the matter,” he said. Their motherbody, Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) is meeting today (Wednesday) to resolve the impasse in the troubled Orange Movement. This comes after both factions two weeks ago wrote to UDC claiming ownership of the party.