Kgosipula faces disciplinary hearing
Tsaone Basimanebotlhe | Monday June 6, 2022 06:00
This is despite BNF secretary-general Moeti Mohwasa’s earlier pronouncement that the suspension will be lifted on condition that the suspended members apologise. Team Baatlhodi Molatlhegi explained that they have not received any official correspondence to that effect.
Kgosipula is facing multiple charges of misconduct and tarnishing the image of the party. He is currently suspended by his constituency committee from the party.
However, Mmegi has learnt that the reason the constituency has gone ahead with the disciplinary hearing is because Kgosipula has not made any apology publicly as per the demand of the party’s central committee (CC).
Last Month, the Molatlhegi team complained that it had written numerous letters to the CC regarding the matter and other issues including the suspensions of some of the team’s members. It has emerged that the CC had not responded to the letters.
When contacted for comment, chairperson of Lentsweletau/Mmopane constituency, Ontefetse Rankhibidu said they were handling a number of disciplinary matters.
“Yes, Kgosipula’s issue is one of them and the hearing is ongoing. I cannot say anything regarding issues of the disciplinary hearing and again I do not have the power to speak to the media. Once our committee is done then we will hand our report to the head office,” Rankhibidu said.
For his part, BNF spokesperson, Justin Hunyepa said he is not aware that Kgosipula’s disciplinary hearing is ongoing.
“Constituency committee has the power to suspend and call a member for a disciplinary hearing. As the mother body, we cannot interfere with their process rather we will have to wait for their report and advise accordingly. The CC will advise itself after seeing the report,” he said.
Some members of the BNF’s CC have requested the party president, Duma Boko to forgive the suspended party elder, Kgosipula for ‘misbehaving’ during the last meeting they held. The plea came after the BNF CC met in Mahalapye to discuss a number of issues that the party is currently facing.
The former Mogoditshane Member of Parliament, Kgosipula was last month suspended by his constituency for allegedly tarnishing the image of the party.
Insiders say the CC agreed that if Kgosipula continues with his misbehaviour then the party president should immediately take action against him.
“Members of CC are concerned about the behavior of some party cadres who are soiling the party’s good name for reasons best known to them. There was no evidence brought before the CC that indeed some members were trying to rig elections or trying to make new membership cards. It is now clear that some members are being used by our enemies to tarnish the image of the party. If they do not desist from their behaviour, then they will be expelled. It is up to the party president if he forgives them or not because they failed to produce evidence to support their action. Again, the BNF has a proper procedure on how members should behave or act if aggrieved by certain things,” the insider says.
The CC had agreed that the party president or any party structure should not be hesitant to take action against members who tarnish the party’s good name in the media or social media without the party’s authority.
Kgosipula is one of the campaign managers for presidential hopeful, Molatlhegi. Both Molatlhegi and incumbent party president, Boko, will be contesting for the party presidency.
Meanwhile, the BNF youth league publicity secretary Tumelo Legase said they have not received any complaints or a protest letter regarding the youth elective congress.
“Our aim as BNF youth is to remain united and we can only do that if we work hand in hand with those that did not make it during the elective congress. Our campaign teams have been dissolved and we remain as BNF youth,” Legase said. “I believe that our committee will co-opt some of the members from another team into the youth league so that we speak with one voice. The campaign teams do not mean that the party is divided in fact they enhance democracy for members to choose the one they want to lead them.”