MABAILA’S THREESOME AFFAIR

The suspended Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) youthful member, Tshepang Mabaila, seemingly torn between two allegiances, says despite the apology he made to the ruling party and President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi, coupled with his request to be reinstated, he will never turn away from former President, Ian Khama. Mabaila last week withdrew from standing as an independent Parliamentary candidate for Mogoditshane Constituency and further pleaded with President Masisi to lift the five-year suspension slapped on him by the party. The youthful Mabaila was suspended by the BDP national disciplinary committee for allegedly influencing some BDP Members of Parliament (MPs) to pass a motion of no confidence against Masisi. Speaking to The Midweek Sun this week, Mabaila emphasized that his apology was genuine, saying he has unending love for the ruling party. “My apology is not an art of war, I love my party and I need to come back to it,” he says. Mabaila also described his bond with Khama as inseparable, but explained that the bond will not deter him from supporting President Masisi. “People should learn to separate between friendship and professionalism, Khama is almost a father to me, people are making noise unnecessarily, I am not even a delegate who will have influence on the outcome of elections,” he explained. He said while the Former President supports Venson-Moitoi, he on the other hand will continue with his support for President Masisi. The self-assured Mabaila says that he has great followers in Mogoditshane constituency and he will work hard and make sure he contributes victory to aspiring Parliamentary candidate for Mogoditshane Constituency, Chillyboy Rakgare. “The apology is not fake, I have been advised by senior government officials to apologise to the President and I mean it,” he said. Commenting on Mabaila’s withdrawal from standing as an independent Parliamentary candidate, Rakgare stated that he is ready to work with Mabaila in efforts to reach a common goal of retaining the parliamentary seat. He will be contesting against Alliance for Progressives’(AP) Sedirwa Kgoroba while the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) has not yet availed a candidate. Another candidate in the constituency is Bruce Nkgakile of the Botswana Movement for Democracy (BMD) When asked about the likelihood of Mabaila being forgiven and reinstated in the party, BDP’s Secretary General Mpho Balopi said he cannot predict the outcome, but stated that President Masisi believes in consultation. “President Masisi is yet to consult other party structures on this issue, in the meantime, Mabaila should patiently wait for the President to consult, there are proper structures to be followed,” said Balopi.