BMD vows to hold special congress this year

Botswana Movement for Democracy (BMD) Kweneng Region is determined to see the party’s special congress held before the end of the year. 

The region has so far held Branch Congresses in Gabane-Mankgodi, Mogoditshane and Molepolole South.Speaking to The Midweek Sun after the Molepolole South congress over the weekend, Kweneng regional Deputy Chairman, Boipuso Dikgang said they are satisfied with the congresses they have held so far. He said they have resolved to follow the directive of the National Executive Committee (NEC). “Even though we do not agree with Modubule on the interpretation of our Constitution, we have decided to do as NEC directed.

Our region is one of those through our letters expressed interest in having the special congress for our movement. It is surprising to have heard the party chairman giving a different interpretation of the constitution. We have decided we would avail all that they say is required to ensure the special congress is held,” he said. During the weekend congress, minutes and names of delegates from wards within the constituency were attached to the branch congress minutes and names of attendees, together with a letter requesting for the special congress. Dikgang said each branch would ensure they speed up the process to prepare all that is needed by the NEC.

The BMD’s polarised NEC held a meeting a fortnight ago to discuss the special congress after the NEC received 19 letters from Constituencies that called for special congress. Last week, Modubule said the letters were not taken through the proper procedures stipulated in the Constitution.  “There should be minutes showing that there were ward congresses and six delegates selected to attend Branch congress.

There should also be records for those who attended both Ward and Branch congresses. The letters that we have received do not have such. So the NEC during the meeting has directed the Secretary General, Gilbert Mangole to advise the constituencies on what should be done. Expectation was that procedure could have been done but it looks like things were done in a hurry,” Modubule said.

Dikgang however argued that Modubule misinterpreted the party Constitution. He said that this would not demoralize them from pushing for the special congress, adding that only a special congress could restore stability to the troubled BMD.  He said they anticipate all constituencies that had called for a special congress would have abided with the NEC request to avail all the necessary documents by mid-September.