BDP forced to postpone Mabaila hearing

  • I hope for a fair judgment- says Mabaila
  • Says he trusts his God

SONNY SERITE

The ruling Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) Disciplinary Committee (DC) was on Friday forced to postpone a meeting where the party parliamentary candidate for Mogoditshane Tshephang Mabaila was supposed to be hauled over the coals following his suspension from the party by President Mokgweetsi Masisi in August.
Mabaila’s disciplinary hearing had to be postponed to October 9th after the Disciplinary Committee failed to form a quorum.
Masisi suspended Mabaila through a letter dated August 7, 2018 for his alleged utterances to MPs Dr Alfred Madigele and Sethomo Lelatisitswe on 10th July, 2018 where he allegedly sought their support on leader of opposition Duma Boko’s motion of no confidence on President Masisi.
Some of the charges laid against Mabaila included behaving in a grossly disorderly and unruly manner that might put the party name into disrepute contrary to General Code of Conduct number 11 and sowing seeds of discord in the party, using regionalism, tribalism or factionalism contrary to General Code of Conduct number 6.
Another offence is contemptuous behaviour towards BDP leadership and other members contrary to General Code of Conduct number 7. “As a party member you were obliged to abide by the constitution, rules and regulations of the party, and expected to promote the philosophy, policies and programmes as stated particularly in Article 14 sub-section 1 and 2 thereof. However, it is alleged that you have failed to act accordingly and used rumour mongering to castigate other members in your branch. It is also alleged that you have repeatedly disrespected the branch committee and sown deeds of factionalism. It is alleged further that you have also shown that you are against party president and promoted the interests of other parties against the BDP by mobilising opposition members and BDP members to vote for a motion of no confidence tabled by the Leader of Opposition, “Masisi wrote in the letter of suspension.
Masisi further said he determined that this is one of the exceptional circumstances in which he should exercise the powers conferred upon him as party president as contemplated by Article 34.1.6 of the BDP constitution and consequently suspend Mabaila with immediate effect as a member of the party of a period of 60 days pending disciplinary action in light of the complaints laid against him.
Speaking to the Botswana Gazette over the weekend, Mabaila confirmed the postponement of his disciplinary hearing to October and said he believes the men and women tasked with his hearing are professionals who will deliver a fair judgement. ‘‘I trust my God sir above any name sir’’, Mabaila responded through text message.