BMD picks Bobonong for its "bloodbath" congress

Fractured Botswana Movement for Democracy (BMD) is expected to limp to an elective congress slated to take place in Bobonong in July.The decision to host this make or break congress was taken this past weekend when the BMD National Executive Committee (NEC) held a meeting at the party office.

The party leadership settled for Bobonong as a compromise to heal the divisions over which branch (constituency) should host the congress. The meeting was held under tight security, following an incident in which party President Ndaba Gaolathe’s bodyguards manhandled the party Chairman Nehemiah Modubule and Secretary General Gilbert Mangole.

At the Saturday meeting, the warring factions of party president and his deputy, against that of Modubule-Mangole, could not agree on venue for the congress. Gaolathe wanted the congress held in Francistown while the Modubule-Mangole led faction wanted the congress in Lobatse.

At the end of the meeting, which lasted almost the whole day, it was finally agreed that the meeting should be held in Bobonong. The Midweek Sun can reveal that preparations for the congress are already underway. On Monday Mangole met the leadership in Bobonong in a closed-door meeting to discuss the congress.

At the Saturday meeting NEC also resolved that the issue surrounding the controversial BMD Youth League congress should be suspended until the 20th of May. It was further agreed that the committee that was elected at the Ramotswa meeting should continue in the interim pending the next NEC meeting. BMD Secretary General Gilbert Mangole confirmed to this publication that the elective congress will be held in Bobonong. He also admitted that they have suspended deliberations over issues surrounding the youth congress and action against members who attended the Ramotswa congress. He said the NEC would work around the clock to deliver the desired congress.

BMD is currently divided at leadership level and this has affected the functioning of the party’s NEC. Members of the NEC have been publicly attacking one another on different forums. The NEC has been characterised by factionalism since its election into power two years ago.