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A police statement written by disgraced Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) employee is the central piece of evidence that led to the resignation of chairman, Samson Moyo Guma.
Hidden at Gaborone West Police Station, Botswana Guardian can reveal that Kago Chilindi’s statement provided a “rock-solid” case against Guma and deputy treasurer, Thapelo Olopeng and secretary general, Mpho Balopi that the trio has been manipulating the voters roll in favour of some candidates ahead of party primary election. According to sources the BDP chairperson had developed ambitions of becoming the country’s next vice president and thus he wanted candidates who will support his cause. Section 39 of the country’s Constitution gives the president powers to appoint a Vice President, which appointment shall be endorsed by parliament. Guma’s resignation on Tuesday this week did not come as a surprise to those close to the central committee as he is said to have been under immense pressure to step down following the damning revelations.
Those who have seen the statement told Botswana Guardian that Guma is fingered as the mastermind behind voters’ roll manipulation, which has rocked the party. At least nine prominent politicians considered Khama’s favourites lost BDP primary election, including his cousin, Brigadier Ramadeluka Seretse. Botswana Guardian spoke to three sources close to the high-profile investigation, which has gripped the country’s imagination. They all agreed that Guma participated in the manipulation of voters’ roll to benefit his preferred candidates in a high-stake campaign for primary election. One said in return for removing BDP documents out of office without authority, Chilindi was rewarded handsomely with unspecified amount of money for her loyalty to a faction within BDP.
Another source agrees and reveals frantically that the straw that broke the camel’s back was when Chilindi was caught red-handed removing party materials from the party office. The offending documents sneaked out of Tsholetsa House landed in Bonnington South parliamentary candidate, Christian Nthula’s hands. Cornered, Chilindi spilled the beans and Nthula was suspended. That officially opened a can of worms and Guma’s troubles took a new twist. Hardly four months into his new role as chairman, Guma had had an uneasy relationship with Parks Tafa chairman of electoral board. For Tafa, Chilindi’ds claim became the Holy Grail.
Guma’s critics, particularly those who worked with him say his predatory leadership style created tension between him and Tafa - Khama’s blue-eyed boy. Sources are in agreement that as chairman, Guma proved exceptionally thick skinned when it came to fighting for the control of the party. This, boggled Tafa’s mind. When he was at his weakest, sources say Tafa took advantage and fueled his master to pressurise Guma out of the hot seat. Those close to the scheming at Tsholetsa maintain that the second round of the BDP primaries held south of Dibete went smoothly because no one was on Tafa and his committee’s backs trying to steer things on their behalf. “They wanted to steer things on their side (during the northern primary elections), but this time the committee was left to do its job without any meddling,” said an insider.
While he refuses to be drawn into discussing the matter, Guma says in a letter seen by Botswana Guardian that he has been embarrassed by media allegations that he is allegedly “orchestrating a scheme to undermine and subvert government and undermine President Ian Khama’s succession plans with the aid of foreign countries…” On paper, no media house has attributed Guma to any foreign influence. Guma chose to defend himself even when he was not being attacked.
