At its meeting held on Monday, the leadership of the ruling Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) resolved to suspend three leading party activists MP Botsalo Ntuane, Kabo Morwaeng and Sidney Pilane.
The three have been on a watch list since President Khama told the Central Committee that his investigations have confirmed that the three collaborated with opposition following last year’s General Election.
This was tacitly confirmed by the party’s Executive Secretary Batlang Serema.
“We are yet to communicate with the affected individuals,” said Serema.It is understood that the trio will appear before the party’s disciplinary committee before the lapse of 60 days.
The Committee is chaired by former Minister Ambrose Masalila.
Contacted for comment regarding reports of their suspension, Ntuane said that he was not aware that his membership within the ruling party has been temporarily stayed.
In a separate interview with The Telegraph Kabo Morwaeng said that that he was not aware that he has been suspended from the party pending disciplinary hearing.
“That is news to me,”Morwaeng said.
“I am not aware of it, nobody has told me,” said Pilane.
It is understood that the party’s youth league chairman Armstrong Dikgafela tried his best to defend the trio and calling on the leadership not to impose any sanctions. However his efforts fell on deaf ears as the A-Team controlled central committee was unwavering in supporting Khama’s idea for a suspension.
The three are expected to get their suspension letters on Tuesday.
The trio’s suspension adds to four the total number of leading BDP politicians who have been stripped off their BDP membership. Ndaba Gaolathe, the outspoken son of former finance minister Baledzi Gaolathe has also reportedly been suspended. The younger Gaolathe wrote a scathing letter which accused the party leadership of being ruthless in its attempt to instil discipline within the party cadres. He also stated that there was nothing wrong with working with opposition parties.
Interestingly while the three are accused of colluding with the opposition, the Botswana National Front (BNF) and Botswana Congress Party (BCP) have denied teaming up with BDP MPs during the run up to the nomination for Specially Elected MPs.
