- None preferred candidates face possible suspension ahead of congress - Presidency, SG become hot targets - I don’t comment on allegations - Dr Kwape
There is a conspiracy by the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) leadership to suspend some of its members who are vying for central committee positions.
Information reaching Botswana Guardian suggests that the grand plan is to suspend the members a month or few days before the National Elective Congress billed for July this year in Maun.
According to credible sources, the plan was hatched after it was discovered that some of the members are far much ahead with campaigns than those preferred by the leadership. Key positions of target are the presidency and secretary general.
Highly-placed sources within the central committee have revealed that the targets are Mpho Balopi who is contesting for the presidency and Kabo Morwaeng for secretary general position.
“Those are seen as threats to the interests of the party leadership. That is why even the party chairman warned about closing some WhatsApp groups because that’s where people are pledging their support,” a source revealed.
Another source said that the duo is a target because they started their campaigns before others. The plan was exposed this past week following a meeting in Kang and Jwaneng.
It is alleged that the information was shared with some of the members who attended the said meeting. Another fear they have is that if action is not taken, the leadership might lose control over the party.
“As the central committee tours the country under the guise of consultative meetings, they discovered that the duo has covered the ground.
“Those meetings are not consultations they are a way of campaigning for the preferred candidates that are needed by the leadership of the party.
“Morwaeng has so far covered most of the regions campaigning, while Balopi's people across the country are campaigning for him,” the source confirmed.
It is alleged that the plan is to find any wrong-doing on their part and use that to suspend them. According to insiders, Balopi will also be targeted at his business. It is alleged that the Secretary General Dr Lemogang Kwape had warned some of the candidates against campaigning last year after the party issued its calendar of events for this year.
This is said to have triggered disagreements since the party constitution is silent on the vetting of candidates and declaration of the date when campaigns should start.
Dr Kwape declined to comment when contacted. “You are saying those are allegations right? So I never comment on allegations”, he retorted.
Information reaching Botswana Guardian suggests that the grand plan is to suspend the members a month or few days before the National Elective Congress billed for July this year in Maun.
According to credible sources, the plan was hatched after it was discovered that some of the members are far much ahead with campaigns than those preferred by the leadership. Key positions of target are the presidency and secretary general.
Highly-placed sources within the central committee have revealed that the targets are Mpho Balopi who is contesting for the presidency and Kabo Morwaeng for secretary general position.
“Those are seen as threats to the interests of the party leadership. That is why even the party chairman warned about closing some WhatsApp groups because that’s where people are pledging their support,” a source revealed.
Another source said that the duo is a target because they started their campaigns before others. The plan was exposed this past week following a meeting in Kang and Jwaneng.
It is alleged that the information was shared with some of the members who attended the said meeting. Another fear they have is that if action is not taken, the leadership might lose control over the party.
“As the central committee tours the country under the guise of consultative meetings, they discovered that the duo has covered the ground.
“Those meetings are not consultations they are a way of campaigning for the preferred candidates that are needed by the leadership of the party.
“Morwaeng has so far covered most of the regions campaigning, while Balopi's people across the country are campaigning for him,” the source confirmed.
It is alleged that the plan is to find any wrong-doing on their part and use that to suspend them. According to insiders, Balopi will also be targeted at his business. It is alleged that the Secretary General Dr Lemogang Kwape had warned some of the candidates against campaigning last year after the party issued its calendar of events for this year.
This is said to have triggered disagreements since the party constitution is silent on the vetting of candidates and declaration of the date when campaigns should start.
Dr Kwape declined to comment when contacted. “You are saying those are allegations right? So I never comment on allegations”, he retorted.
