Suspended Ndaba and co's fate to be decided today
The Disciplinary Committee of the Botswana Movement for Democracy(BMD) is scheduled to meet today to make a determination on the fate of the seven suspended members of the party. This is according to the chairman of the committee, Ofentse Njobo. Speaking to this publication yesterday, Njobo said that none of the suspended BMD cadres showed up for the disciplinary hearing to which they were invited on Sunday.
Njobo told The Midweek Sun he was saddened by what was happening in the party, stating that party members should be able to sit at the table and sort out differences amicably. He added that being called for a disciplinary hearing did not mean they were going to expel anybody.
This is the second time in two weeks that the seven suspended members of the party ignored an invitation for them to appear before the disciplinary committee. The said members include the party president, Ndaba Gaolathe, his deputy, Wynter Mmolotsi, the president of the party Women’s Wing, Joyce Mothudi, former president of the BMD Youth League, Phenyo Segokgo and MP for Gaborone North , Haskins Nkaigwa, Kabelo Mahupe and Gaone Majere. At the time they were to appear this past weekend, they were in Francistown addressing BMD members.
At the time they were to appear at the first hearing, they were similarly addressing BMD members in Maun. Speaking on the matter, Gaolathe said they were not worried about the possibility of being expelled from the party.
“We understand our obligation and promise to our people and nation. There is nothing to fear when we know we are doing the right thing. We are prepared to lose everything, I mean everything, if that is the cost of standing up for what is right.” Joyce Mothudi confirmed that she did not attend but was not in a position to elaborate as she was in a meeting and could not discuss anything by press time yesterday. Segokgo said that he had deliberately snubbed the invitation because it would not make a difference in his political life whether he attended or not.
“This is a complete waste of time. Our main focus right now is the congress. We want to return the BMD to the people,” said Segokgo in an interview on Tuesday. He revealed that he would be in Bobonong during the congress. “I will be there even if it means waiting outside,” said Segokgo. Mmolotsi said, “Nobody has suspended me. I hear about the suspensions from the media. No one has written me a letter of suspension.” Mmolotsi also said he will be attending the congress in Bobonong during the July long weekend.
“To me it is business as usual and we are attending the congress like everybody else. If we have done anything wrong, the congress itself will suspend us,” said Mmolotsi. Their suspension came as a result of them being part of a youth congress in Ramotswa in April this year. The congress according to BMD National Executive Committee was unlawful as the party’s National Working Committee had postponed the congress.
Gaolathe added, “Our focus should be to work towards a nation that brings out the best in its people so they can realise their full potential and fulfil their aspirations. That is what we should be working towards, by our participation in the political process of the country.” He said it would be unfair for this nation if they were to invest their time in an unproductive activity when there is so much to do in the community. Reached for comment, party Chairman, Nehemiah Modubule said, “At the moment I have not been briefed about Sunday hearing.”