Divisions rock BDP Kweneng region
Tensions are said to be higher within the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) in the Kweneng Region as the party prepares for its elective regional congress on Saturday January 30th 2016 in Dutlwe Village in the Takatokwane Constituency.
Sources say the tension is visible among the two camps led by current Regional Chairman Motlhophi Leo and his opponent, Kgang Kgang- the region’s Deputy Secretary General. Kgang’s camp feels the time is now for a new leadership to take over the reins of the region. Kgang, who is also a member of the BDP Sub-Committee of Labour and Culture, is said to be like Leo, enjoying lots of support from the BDP members in the region, which proves the competition for the chairmanship would be tight.
Around 200 delegates are expected at the congress. Leo’s camp accuses their opposing camp of sanctioning a congress last year when Leo was out of the country.
Contacted, Leo said everything is going according to plan. He however dismissed suggestions that there are tensions within the party’s regional structures. “Everything is well, there are no problems. As far as I am concerned I will be defending my position. I do not know who will be up against me but anyone is free to contest. Names can be called from the floor during the congress and I do not have a problem with anyone who will wish to challenge me- that is democracy within the BDP”, he stated.
Kgang confirmed that he would be contesting for the chairmanship of the region. He said his campaign is going well in the region and fellow democrats have promised him their support. The former unionist said everyone in the region knows that he will be contesting. He also dismissed claims of divisions within the region. Kgang has served in the regional committee on various portfolios including the chairmanship.
The initial congress was supposed to have been held in November last year but was postponed following a car accident involving delegates from Mogoditshane Constituency which claimed the life of one of the delegates. At that time Leo was said to have be out of the country on an official Kweneng District Council trip.
BDP Kweneng Region has for some time now been mired in controversy. During a meeting with President Ian Khama in June last year in Gabane, the region’s executive committee expressed disappointment at the way some BDP members have on numerous occasions by-passed the regional committee in various activities like holding indoor meetings, party structures elections among others.
The divisions in the region were said to have contributed to the party’s poor performance in the 2014 general election. Some of the constituencies lost in the region include Molepolole North and South, Gabane-Mankgodi and Mogoditshane. All these constituencies were taken by the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC).