BDP CC drops Dikoloti from the party race
Tsaone Basimanebotlhe | Monday September 23, 2024 12:17
The constituency has consequently been handed over to the Minister of Finance, Peggy Serame, the losing parliamentary primary candidate, reversing the decision for a re-run and further deepening tensions within the party. Dikoloti had won against Serame with a margin of 1, 700 votes, and the two were set for a highly-anticipated face-off that will never be. The BDP CC delegation delivered the unfortunate news to Dikoloti and the lower party structures in Goodhope yesterday.
Still reeling in shock over this week’s developments, Dikoloti was informed that he had been dropped from the race and urged to cooperate with the committee’s preferred candidate. He was asked to assist Serame with the daunting task of securing victory for the party with the national polls just a month away.
According to the Political Education and Elections Committee’s (PEEC) investigation, Dikoloti had allegedly trafficked a significant number of voters from his previous constituency to the one he had won in July.
However, Mmegi learnt that party president, Mokgweetsi Masisi overturned PEEC’s decision, citing the polarising influence of two powerful individuals in the area. A source revealed that Masisi urged the committee to withdraw the rivalling candidates from the race and instead choose a new candidate, a proposal that was met with resistance by some members of the CC. The party’s chairperson, Slumber Tsogwane allegedly argued that Serame should not be penalised as a consequence of her rival’s alleged unethical actions that resulted in her losing the primaries.
“The CC never agreed on suspending both candidates; only Dikoloti was to be dropped, while Serame remained. The reasons for Serame’s appeal were considered legitimate,” the source added.
Following the CC’s unpopular decision, Tsogwane led a delegation to Goodhope to brief constituents on the CC’s conclusion.
The BDP CC had initially ordered a re-run for the Goodhope-Mmathethe constituency, scheduled to take place last Saturday. However, during the week leading up to the second duel for the constituency, the PEEC visited the area and informed members and candidates that they were conducting a re-verification of the voters’ roll, starting from the first registration.
Upon enquiries by Mmegi about the re-verification process, the PEEC chairperson, Alec Seametso, explained that they were merely inspecting why some members’ names were missing from the voters’ roll. Despite this explanation, some BDP members expressed doubts about the process, expressing concerns over the committee’s conflict in proceeding with conducting fresh elections.
In addition, there were accusations from some members that certain PEEC officials were campaigning for other candidates, further fuelling concerns about the fairness of the process.
A letter written by BDP secretary-general, Kavis Kario, reads: “You are hereby informed that the party has taken a political decision to nominate Serame as its candidate for the constituency in the upcoming General Election. You are both urged to work together so that the party retains this constituency.”
Further, the CC claimed that they received a report from the electoral board that they were unable to organise elections and hold elections by the dictates of the party constitution.
However, political analyst, Dr Sethunya Mosime, shared her disappointment with the developments in the Goodhope-Mmathethe constituency, highlighting concerns that one candidate might be unfairly favoured over the other.
“The BDP CC must not abuse its powers, and they owe the members an explanation for such decisions,” she remarked. “These decisions need to be valid, and the party must demonstrate that it is principled. Members expected a re-run, and the party must justify why two conflicting decisions were made within three weeks; it does not look right,” she added.
Mosime further warned that the CC’s decision might come back to bite Serame during the October General Election, especially given that her previous numbers were not particularly strong. Additionally, she predicted that the BDP could become even more divided in the area due to the fresh controversy.
She added that already the BDP had been divided due to the interference that was happening in the area.
Moreover, she said, failure by the BDP to give candidates sound reasons when they vet or withdraw them, shows that they do not take members seriously.
She said the BDP is setting a wrong precedent, acting in this manner just to appease a leader.
Mosime further cautioned that the BDP’s decision undermines the democratic will of the voters and sets a dangerous precedent. Similar incidents in the past such as the case of Kabo Morwaeng versus Gladys Kokorwe, have shown the party’s tendency to frustrate candidates who win primaries but are later prevented from representing the party.