BDP Youth Committee in crisis
*Tussle between Moabi and Autlwetse over Chairmanship
*Young leaders defy Central Committee orders
Things are falling apart at Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) National Youth Executive Committee (NYEC). A Few days after suspending their Treasurer, Bruce Nkgakile this week they did the unthinkable by suspending the Chairman, Simon Moabi. Nkgakile was reinstated as Treasurer. But the calm Moabi said he is still leading the Youth Wing of the party despite his controversial suspension. Speaking in an interview Moabi-Mavange said, “I am still the Chairman, nothing has changed those people are playing. I am busy preparing for by-election in Tshimoyapula.
Puso ga e tsewe mothofo jalo. They should accept that they lost in Tsabong.” The troubled Moabi said he is going to report about the challenges the Youth committee is facing to the mother-body. He said what members of his committee did was “unlawful” but he will not discipline anyone but let the mother-body resolve their challenges. “I am not failing to run the committee, everything is going well,” he said. In a media statement the BDP youth wing circulated, Information Officer Bonang Morapedi wrote, “Simon Nkosana Moabi is no longer the NYEC chairman.
The occurrences that led to his replacement are as follows; Issuing untruthful statements to the CC and Party President. Mr. Moabi did submit to the CC and Party President that the political officer Hon Ketshogile made the NYEC ungovernable by disrupting NYEC meetings. He also cited that Hon Ketshogile made unpleasant remarks to the President of the party at the Travel Lodge national council. The statements led to Hon Ketshogile’s suspension. The Disciplinary Committee highlighted that the matter should have never happened such that Hon Ketshogile, the NYEC Political Officer should have never been suspended and Mr. Moabi should be cautions of his decisions.” Thabo Autlwetse, who is the Secretary General has been appointed as Acting Chairman.
He stood against Moabi earlier this year in the contest for chairmanship. Onneile Segwai has been appointed Secretary General. Motamma Sesinyi who was controversially elevated to the position of Treasurer last week has been demoted to additional member. Autlwetse confirmed that they have removed Moabi from his position. “The committee was not working together because he was a divisive figure. He was always reporting other members to the Central Committee and party leadership. He wanted to pull down everybody and this created difficulty in executing our duties,” said Autlwetse. He said while he was Secretary General they had a bad working relationship with Moabi. “We tried to offer peace but he never listened,” said Autlwetse.
He believes Moabi is mastermind behind Nkgakile’s vetting out to stand for party primary elections next month because he was always speaking bad things about him. The release accuses Moabi of chairing an unconstitutional meeting last week which removed Nkgakile. “The minutes to the said meeting indicate that the NYEC Information Officer was present. The said officer was in actual fact absent and was not anywhere near the vicinity of Tsholetsa House. “Decisions from this meeting were implemented even though the quorum was not met. Minutes were forged to include the Information Officer and this is a serious omission. All actions resulting from the fraudulent meeting are illegal,” states the release. “You are informed that the BDP-NYEC convened as was requested per Rule six (b) (i) by additional members on the 11th of September at 8:00am at Tsholetsa House.
It was resolved that you be removed from the office of NYEC Chairman with immediate effect after evoking (sic) Rule 7d) (vi) of the BDP Youth Wing Rules and Regulations. “Be advised that you are no longer a member of the committee. Your cooperation in this regard is appreciated.” This letter was written by newly appointed General Secretary, Segwai. It is dated 11th September 2017. Yet in a twist, BDP’s Communications and International Relations Sub Committee Chairman Thapelo Pabalinga rubbished the claims of Moabi’s sacking through another media statement on the day. Pabalinga labeled reports of Moabi’s ousting as “spurious and mischievous” and that he remains the youth body chairperson. Autlwetse on the other hand, speaking to The Midweek Sun this Tuesday, still maintains he is the new chairperson.