A number of Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) Councillors have confirmed that plans are afoot to oust Father Maphongo as Gaborone City Mayor.
The BDP Councillors told Sunday Standard that they have lost confidence in Maphongo, accusing him of promoting factionalism and “ill treating” them.
The mayor declined to comment on plans to oust him.
Councillor for Moselemela ward Robert Kediseng accused Maphongo of autocracy and taking decisions without consulting fellow councillors.
“I personally have written letters to the mayor complaining about the standing orders but not a single response has been received,” said Kediseng.
He also accused the mayor of collapsing the party caucus, saying that it is a show of monocratic leadership.
“I have lost all the confidence I had in him. The first time we met for a full council, he assured us that we should give him 100 days to have achieved our priority concerns.
“He has not even bothered to engage us again on why he has failed, he does not even take my calls and often claims to be busy,” said Kediseng.
He further revealed that party councillors recently complained to the BDP central committee about Maphongo. He told the Sunday Standard that they held a follow-up meeting with BDP Central Committee member Tebogo Masire who assured them that the issue will be addressed once Covid-19 protocols have been relaxed.
“On Monday, we sent a delegation of councillors to meet Masire and the Secretary General of the party Mpho Balopi to raise the issue for the umpteenth time because our patience is wearing thin,” said Kediseng.
Specially elected councillor Daniel Modise said Maphongo has deviated from the party manifesto and has lost the confidence of most Gaborone councillors.
“I do not have confidence in him and I will never have confidence in him even going forward.
“Initially, most of us had confidence in him because he promised to work with us in a fair, respectful and transparent manner but none of that transpired,” said Modise.
He told the Sunday Standard that the mayor also disregards party advice and never conducts caucus meetings before council sessions.
“We urge the party leadership to act fast because things have gotten out of hand,” said Modise.
He stated that although they have not identified any councillor to challenge the mayor, he stands ready to support whoever comes up against Maphongo.
“I will support a motion to topple the mayor because I have lost confidence in him and the April session to elect the new council leadership is too far,” said Modise.
A BDP councillor who preferred anonymity said plans are already underway to table a motion of no confidence against Maphongo before end of the year.
“We are sick and tired of the mayor. I personally do not care whether the party suspends me because we have reported this issue to them so many times that I have lost count yet no one seems bothered,” said the BDP councillor.
He stated that he has mobilized support from the three UDC councillors and so far the motion looks like a shoo in.
“There is a good number of us from the BDP who have had it with the mayor and the best thing now is to table a motion of no confidence. There are already a number of councilors who are ready to challenge him,” said BDP Councillor.
Councillor for Kgale View Oduetse Tautona also said he had lost confidence in Maphongo because he undermines councillors.
“We always cry about lack of service delivery but our concerns always fall in deaf ears. he is not willing to listen.
“In my ward, the city council brought some materials in February but there is no any activity, people are now stealing the bricks we bought for paving,” said Tautona.
He stated that the mayor had failed and therefore should step aside.
Meanwhile, GCC Chief Whip Jack Mphithang said the issues are currently being discussed with a view to resolving them.
“I am not at liberty to speak out on the issues but what I can tell you is that they are being addressed and we will communicate once they have been concluded,” said Mphithang.
For his part, BDP central committee member Tebogo Masire admitted that councillors had reported their grievances, adding that they promised that the issues would be addressed.
“We have not addressed the issue but we promised them that we will meet so that we can discuss it as soon as restrictions on gatherings have been lifted,” said Masire.
Gaborone City council has a total of 36 councillors, with 33 councillors from the BDP while 3 are from the UDC. The council is expected to elect new leadership in April next year.
