BCP defends GBV accused Mmaphua East by-election candidate

Botswana Congress Party (BCP) is unshaken on its Mmaphula East Council by-election candidate Gaolathe Kenosi who is accused of Gender Based Violence (GBV).Kenosi has been barraged for allegedly abusing his late wife after one of the deceased's children posted on social media about the abuse. The BCP has been challenged to recall Kenosi as its candidate and distance itself from him. By-elections for Mmaphula East Ward in Palapye is scheduled for this weekend.BCP Information and Publicity Secretary, Dr Mpho Pheko said to their knowledge, there has been no investigation into Kenosi, nor a charge to justify the call for any form of censure at this point.“Accordingly, acting on unsubstantiated allegations or taking sides when contradicting versions are brought forth will be perpetuation of injustice and tantamount to promoting a culture of witch-hunt in which political opponents stoop low and deploy unacceptable tactics. As a Party, we cannot act contrary to the principles of natural justice by being the judge and jury in the social media and public courts”, she said.Dr Pheko said though the BCP does not have the capacity to mount an investigation that could establish the facts, they have reached out to some members of the family as the allegations could not be ignored.Besides the family member who has made the complaint, no other family member has corroborated the allegations, she stated. According to the BCP Publicity head, the allegations should therefore not be used to mount a political agenda against the BCP and its candidate.“Given the seriousness in which we regard GBV we obtained legal advice from our legal team who advised us that no matter how grave, untested allegations cannot serve to disadvantage any individual.“In the 2019 general elections, comrade Gaolathe Kenosi was a candidate of the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC). No allegations of GBV were made against him and they only emerge when he chooses to contest under the BCP symbol. It would be unfortunate, and sad if it were to be established that the GBV claim is in any way propelled by a political motive”, Dr Pheko said.She indicated that it is important to point out categorically that the BCP as a social democratic formation, holds in very high regard the rights of women and children. Dr Pheko explained that they have pronounced their unequivocal condemnation of GBV in all its forms and manifestations and remain committed to advocating for policies that protect and uplift all marginal groups in our nation.“The allegations against Gaolathe Kenosi, have been made by Daniel Kenosi, a family member and are of a serious nature. Another family member has come out to strongly dismiss the allegations as unfounded and malicious.“Under the circumstances, it would be inappropriate for the BCP or any other organisation to entangle itself in what may be a possible family dispute”, she argued.

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BCP defends GBV accused Mmaphua East by-election candidate