BDP distances itself from Balopi
The Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) has made it clear it will not support party president Mpho Balopi in his legal battle over corruption allegations.
Balopi is at the centre of a corruption storm, facing several charges alongside Thomas Sidney Sharpe, Tshepiso Innocent Makgoeng, Duncan Mothusi Gaolebe, Native Outdoor (Pty) Ltd, Native Impressions (Pty) Ltd, Stess Engineering (Pty) Ltd,and Keysource (Pty) Ltd.
Balopi has long maintained that the corruption allegations which have been making the rounds since last year were politically motivated. He has revealed that the BDP and its leadership do not tolerate corruption. Together with the party’s Secretary General Kentse Rammidi, they have maintained that the party will not be led by corrupt individuals.
Balopi has been slapped with corruption charges barely a year after he was elected party president during the party’s elective congress in Maun.
This week Rammidi revealed that the party will not wish to entangle itself in Balopi’s corruption case.
“The party is not supporting the President in the case. Members of the party will also not be allowed to lend support by way of wearing party regalia when attending the court.
They can attend in their personal capacities as brothers and sisters of Balopi and lend support but not on behalf of the party”, Rammidi told the media this week.
He explained that Balopi is charged in his personal capacity and not as the BDP President.
The BDP is currently stuck with Balopi as president as he moves to defend himself and clear his name. Balopi’s corruption case was made part of the BDP Central Committee agenda meeting, which was held on Monday this week.
However, while many had thought that Balopi would resign, the former party Secretary General and cabinet member has stayed put. The BDP Constitution also does not give the Central Committee much power to remove the president from office for any other reason.
Rammidi has said they are still processing the matter and will see how it unfolds. When a vacancy is declared for the Presidency, the party Chairman becomes the Acting President until the next elective congress.
As things stand, it means only the elective congress expected next year can decide whether Balopi should be removed from office or not, through a ballot.
For the longest time, there have been concerns within the party about the powers given to the president by its constitution. There have been calls for the review of the Constitution with little progress.
As the party gears up for its National Council, it will also hold an Extraordinary Congress focusing on the review of the party constitution. Already, party members are making their submissions for amendments to the central committee.