Member of Parliament for Mmadinare, who is also Assistant Minister of Agriculture, Molebatsi Molebatsi has accused the BOMASE Regional Committee of conflict of interest.
Molebatsi made the accusation in his appeal petition against the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) primary elections outcome for Mmadinare Constituency. Molebatsi lost against Specially-Elected MP and Minister of Lands and Water Affairs Dr Kefentse Mzwinila in a tight contest.
“I have chosen to petition the Central Committee directly, specifically because I hold the opinion that the Regional Committee is an interested party and some of the members' conduct, more specifically the Chairman, are a subject of my appeal.
“On the 23rd of October, 2023 I registered a complaint in writing with the Central Committee indicating the unconstitutional manner in which BOMASE Regional Committee was constituted.
“In the same letter written to the Central Committee, I raised a concern that unlike other regions, BOMASE Region didn't go for an elective congress even though more than the threshold of 30 percent of its members resigned,” Molebatsi said. He indicated that the BDP constitution categorically and unequivocally states that the resignation of more than 30 percent or a third of committee members triggers an elective congress. In the case of BOMASE more than 50 percent resigned. Instead of calling on elective regional congress, some party members were co-opted into the executive committee and this co-option was done unfairly on Bulela Ditswe candidate affiliation, avers Molebatsi.
"Today, we are seeing the same Regional Committee involved in running the primary elections in Mmadinare Constituency and doing it to favor one particular candidate, Dr Kefentse Mzwinila," Molebatsi said. He stated that the Chairman of BOMASE Goitseone Phane came in at around midday, cast his vote, sat in the polling room and left after sometime.
“He came back during counting and used his position inappropriately to be part of the team supervising the counting of votes. In his new assumed role, he was responsible for determining whether the ballot papers were spoiled or not.
“In determining whether ballot papers were spoilt or not he conveniently issued instructions that some spoiled ballot papers be treated as votes for one particular candidate, Dr Kefentse Mzwinila,” he said.
The MP indicated that it is not surprising that the unconstitutionally manner in which the Chairman retained his position as Chairman of the Region and the co-option of some members was meant to aid Dr Kefentse Mzwinila in the primary elections in any manner or form possible.
He argued that surely if the Chairman of the Regional Committee could demonstrate this extent of subjectivity and favouritism during the counting process, “I have no faith that the Regional Committee can consider my appeal objectively”.
Molebatsi also took issue with the conduct of the Returning Officer Mr Karabo Gomotsegang, saying it was appalling.
“He approached all the forty-eight Election Officers (Presiding and Polling Officers) and delivered a message that the President of the Party Dr Mokgweetsi Eric Keebatswe Masisi has made a clear instruction that Dr Kefentse Mzwinila must be assisted to win the primary elections at all costs because he His Excellency the President has plans to appoint him (Dr Mzwinila) the Vice President of the Republic of Botswana,” Molebatsi claimed.
Molebatsi made the accusation in his appeal petition against the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) primary elections outcome for Mmadinare Constituency. Molebatsi lost against Specially-Elected MP and Minister of Lands and Water Affairs Dr Kefentse Mzwinila in a tight contest.
“I have chosen to petition the Central Committee directly, specifically because I hold the opinion that the Regional Committee is an interested party and some of the members' conduct, more specifically the Chairman, are a subject of my appeal.
“On the 23rd of October, 2023 I registered a complaint in writing with the Central Committee indicating the unconstitutional manner in which BOMASE Regional Committee was constituted.
“In the same letter written to the Central Committee, I raised a concern that unlike other regions, BOMASE Region didn't go for an elective congress even though more than the threshold of 30 percent of its members resigned,” Molebatsi said. He indicated that the BDP constitution categorically and unequivocally states that the resignation of more than 30 percent or a third of committee members triggers an elective congress. In the case of BOMASE more than 50 percent resigned. Instead of calling on elective regional congress, some party members were co-opted into the executive committee and this co-option was done unfairly on Bulela Ditswe candidate affiliation, avers Molebatsi.
"Today, we are seeing the same Regional Committee involved in running the primary elections in Mmadinare Constituency and doing it to favor one particular candidate, Dr Kefentse Mzwinila," Molebatsi said. He stated that the Chairman of BOMASE Goitseone Phane came in at around midday, cast his vote, sat in the polling room and left after sometime.
“He came back during counting and used his position inappropriately to be part of the team supervising the counting of votes. In his new assumed role, he was responsible for determining whether the ballot papers were spoiled or not.
“In determining whether ballot papers were spoilt or not he conveniently issued instructions that some spoiled ballot papers be treated as votes for one particular candidate, Dr Kefentse Mzwinila,” he said.
The MP indicated that it is not surprising that the unconstitutionally manner in which the Chairman retained his position as Chairman of the Region and the co-option of some members was meant to aid Dr Kefentse Mzwinila in the primary elections in any manner or form possible.
He argued that surely if the Chairman of the Regional Committee could demonstrate this extent of subjectivity and favouritism during the counting process, “I have no faith that the Regional Committee can consider my appeal objectively”.
Molebatsi also took issue with the conduct of the Returning Officer Mr Karabo Gomotsegang, saying it was appalling.
“He approached all the forty-eight Election Officers (Presiding and Polling Officers) and delivered a message that the President of the Party Dr Mokgweetsi Eric Keebatswe Masisi has made a clear instruction that Dr Kefentse Mzwinila must be assisted to win the primary elections at all costs because he His Excellency the President has plans to appoint him (Dr Mzwinila) the Vice President of the Republic of Botswana,” Molebatsi claimed.
