Makhura in BCP storm

•  NEC orders fresh re-nominations in Kgatleng East
• BCP Kgatleng East  feels disrespected by NEC
• ‘I’m still standing firm on my interest to contest’ -Makhura

BAKANG TIRO

editors@thepatriot.co.bw

Members of the Botswana Congress Party (BCP) both at party’s central committee level and at Kgatleng East constituency are divided over Stephen Makhura who was not nominated for the central committee elections to contest for the chairmanship position, The Patriot on Sunday has learnt.

The veteran Malolwane councillor and staunch BCP member Makhura’s supporters are pushing the party leadership against the wall accusing them for sabotaging him not to contest for the elections.

On the other hand, the unhappy BCP members from Kgatleng East who are against the central committee’s decision for ordering re-nomination vows not to ever support the party in Kgatleng East.

The concerned members argue that it is beyond the party central committee to orders for the re-nomination for the central committee position when closing date for nominations elapsed.

“This decision by the central committee is disrespectful to the Kgatleng East BCP constituency structures being the committee and wards. Makhura has not been elected by the constituency and this means that he wouldn’t contest for the chairmanship position for the conference if it was to proceed this weekend. and now since the congress was further delayed, it means that he should still not contest. Nominations are closed and we don’t know what is so special about a re-nomination order when closing dates elapsed,” said worried BCP committee member in Kgatleng East.

The Kgatleng East BCP constituency committee member also said that they are challenging the decision arguing that there is no clause in constitution that gives NEC power to nullify their nominations.

Sources inside the BCP central committee also revealed that the issue of Makhura was a topical matter during the party’s emergency NEC meeting held last Sunday that also resolved to suspend conference.

“The impending damage that could be caused by the saga at Kgatleng East regarding Makhura’s protest was carefully considered if the party wanted to continue with elective conference. This is because Makhura forms part of the Daisy Bathusi camp and it was insisting that Makhura was being intentional sidelined for belonging to it vying against Samuel Rantuana for a chairmanship position who is in the camp led by Lucas Taolo. NEC was divided over the re-order but the issue of factions at BCP Kgatleng East was considered that it could harm the party,” said impeccable source.

Contacted for comment, Makhura said that that they are awaiting a further instruction from the central committee regarding the re-nomination in Kgatleng East since conference was postponed.

He noted that he has always shown interest to contest for a central committee position as chairman.

“I have always been ready to contest for the chairmanship position and I will be not deterred by anything to continue with my desire to serve in the central committee,” stated Makhura briefly.

Makhura who is also former chairman of Kgatleng District Council (KDC) lodged a complaint to the party leadership when his constituency failed to nominate him demanding a re-nomination.

He challenged the nominations in Kgatleng East saying that they were not held in a good manner.

His bone of contention is that the members held a regional congress when they didn’t meet a quorum.

Makhura is contesting for the position of chairman against former MP for Ramotswa Samuel Rantuana.

BCP Secretary General Dr Kesitegile Gobotswang said that BCP NEC ordered for a re-nomination in Kgatleng East after Makhura lodged a formal complaint that regional congress wasn’t authentic.

He indicated that the party had given Kgatleng East constituency to conduct a re-nomination by Friday last week but the constituency by end of business didn’t field any report as it was ordered.

Gobotswang said that similar arisen from Bobonong constituency but the call for re-nomination was not given a go ahead after the party studied and satisfied itself with contents of Bobonong report.

“It has been ordered that Kgatleng East convene constituency congress for a fresh nomination. For one to be nominated should be nominated by one ward and seconded by another one. Out of 11 wards in Kgatleng East, only 4 wards did nominations and Makhura wasn’t nominated,” said Dr Gobotswang.

With the nominations being closed, Gobotswang said that BCP will seek advice from the legal team buttressing that only Kgatleng East is the only constituency that will go for re-nominations.