BMD Gantsi North Branch congress ends in fist fight
The internal fighting at Botswana Movement for Democracy (BMD) took another twist this weekend in Gantsi as warring factions exchanged harsh words that ended in a violent altercation.
The two factions belonging to suspended Party President, Ndaba Gaolathe and Chairman, Nehemiah Modubule were fighting during the branch congress, sources said, adding that the fuss started after Modubule’s faction led by Regional Chairperson, Kopanelo Theko took other BMD members to his house to continue with the branch congress elections.
“The other faction led by John Motsumi arrived later at the house and the two, Theko and Motsumi exchanged words which resulted in chaos and fist fighting,” said the source. It is said that Theko rushed to the police for intervention later that Sunday.
BMD is expected to hold its elective congress in Bobonong next month. It is feared that each faction may end up bringing parallel delegates to the congress if the infighting is not resolved. Speaking in an interview, Motsumi who says he is a Gaolathe supporter confirmed that there was exchange of words between him and Theko over the branch congress. “Our issue was that the branch congress cannot be held in someone’s home because it is a private property and as BMD members we were not comfortable with it. First of all that branch congress was illegal because only people who are supporting Modubule faction were allowed to vote. I am supporting Gaolathe without fear or favour,” he said.However, Motsumi denied any fist fighting but said he only rushed to the police because they had said if they try to hold any public meeting that concerns BMD, it would have to be sanctioned by the police as procedure. On the other hand, Theko said he too went to the police because people were making noise inside his home.
He confirmed that there was exchange of words between the two factions but also denied fist fighting. “The branch congress was held peacefully in the afternoon and delegates are ready to go to Bobonong. People went to my house because food was prepared there and Motsumi’s faction came and disrupted others,” he said.
According to Theko, he does not belong to any faction. “I am the BMD Regional Chairperson in Gantsi and I don’t belong to any faction,” he said. Reached for comment, Gantsi Police Station Commander, Superintendent Bodiro Lekone said he is not aware of the case because he is on a trip in Molepolole. “I can only confirm the case when I arrive at the office,” he said. Police officers in Gantsi maintained that only the station commander could comment on the matter.According to BMD constitution section 23.2 (a), The Branch congress will; be held atleast once every two years and more often if requested by atleast one third of all Wards in the Branch. (b) Be composed of the Branch Committee, Members of the NEC, if any, whose place of residence or employment falls within the area of the Branch, The Member of Parliament, if The Movement should have one in that Branch, the Chairpersons and Secretaries of the Ward Committees of Wards falling within the area of the Branch, The Movement Councillors in the Branch, six (6) delegates from each Ward falling within the Branch, and the Chairpersons and Secretaries of the Youth and Women’s Leagues Branch Committees.”
