31 Jan 2018

Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) has appointed Bulela Ditswe Appeals Board that will deal with official protests from recent party primary election results. The party’s secretary general, Mr Mpho Balopi announced during a media briefing in Gaborone, January 30 that the central committee met to decide on the matter following numerous complaints from some members who vied for Bulela Ditswe.

He however, stated that he was not in a position to reveal the four selected board members as they were still to formally accept the assignment.

“What I can only confirm to you is that the chosen members have special requisites to deal with mediation issues,” he said.

Mr Balopi who stated that whereas most of the people who forwarded complaints to Tsholetsa gradually withdrew their cases, it was only fair to give them a hearing as democracy dictates.

He also said BDP had also resolved to begin a party political school that would teach members the party doctrine.

He said there would be syllabus and modules to be used to teach members through distance learning targeting groups of people at different areas.

He however, said during the initial stage, there would be no formal institution for learning, but groups would be reached where they had gathered.
Mr Balopi further said the party strongly condemned reports that some people were against gifts that Batswana were giving the out-going President Lt Gen. Dr Seretse Khama Ian Khama.

He said it was orderly that Batswana continued doing so without being coerced because in Setswana any outgoing person who had rendered service to the public or an institution was given gifts, adding that the President never asked for such gifts.

“It is either these people are bitter, have got improper motives or are not native Batswana children because in Botswana we are accustomed to that,” he said.

On other issues, he said the party was steadfast on conducting this year’s party calendar activities which comprised the national council on March, special congress in June and the second phase of Bulela Ditswe that would be held on August 11.

He said the party was still to decide whether the two constituencies of Moshupa-Manyana and Mochudi East would fall under the second phase of primary elections, owing to the fact that they would all be vacant following the death of former MP for Mochudi, Mr Isaac Davids and the departure of Vice President, Mr Mokgweetsi Masisi who would be taking over as President. Ends