Nkgakile appeals to President Khama
Bruce Nkgakile has petitioned President Ian Khama to help him in his battle to participate in party primary elections for a parliamentary seat in Mogoditshane constituency. This comes after Nkgakile was vetted out two weeks ago from participating in next month’s elections. Nkgakile was barred from participating in the party primary elections because it was said he is new in the constituency.
He transferred his membership from Ramotswa to Mogoditshane earlier this year. In his letter Nkgakile insists that he is a member in good standing and as such he believes his vetting out was a mistake. “I have further not been advised on the reasons that have denied me this opportunity to serve my party as the parliamentary candidate as I am convinced that I will win should I be permitted to contest,” he said. Two weeks ago Mogoditshane branch announced that Nkgakile was vetted out. “We do not know much about him.
As the branch committee, we made a recommendation to the Central Committee that Nkgakile is new to the constituency,” said Kingston Mmolowa, BDP’s Mogoditshane branch Chairman. According to BDP regulations for conduct of primary elections section 2 (a) all prospective candidates whose Form A has been submitted to the Branch Committee shall be vetted by such a committee with a view to recommending to Central Committee for approval or disapproval of such person as a candidate for such an election. With respect to the vetting of local government candidates the Branch Committee shall invite the Chairperson and Secretary of the respective ward. According to Nkgakile, there is nothing that vitiates his candidacy for the primary elections.
He also wants the President to avail him reasons why he was vetted out if his appeal is unsuccessful. “As the youngest person to express my interest to contest for the upcoming primary elections parliamentary seat I believe my candidacy will encourage young people to join the party and further contest for elections. Our party has for too long been viewed as a party for elders only and the candidacy of people like me will change such perceptions,” he said. He was expected to participate against party favourite, Mabaila Mabaila who is said to be the apple of President Ian Khama’s eye. Those in the race are former Member of Parliament for the constituency, Patrick Masimolole, Kgang Kgang, Mogogi Tshiamo and Emmanuel Otisitse.