Saleshando cautions against indiscipline
Oarabile Mosikare | Thursday July 23, 2015 14:41
Speaking during the BCP’s 7th national elective congress held over the President’s Day holidays in Kanye, Saleshando said that some comrades no longer address their colleagues in the party with respect.
“Exchanges over social media are punctuated with abusive and sometimes outright vulgar language. We must appreciate that we are all ambassadors of the BCP, how we conduct ourselves and engage each other is a reflection of the character of our organisation. Besides, we as an organisation have a value system that we have all committed to adhere to,” he said.
Saleshando also said that it has been reported that some office bearers use the positions they hold to promote personal interests. He said this was prevalent at the time of primary elections where some leaders wanted to favour their preferred candidates ahead of other members. “In other instances, regional or constituency leaders withhold communication from the head office that is meant for the structures they lead, resulting in unnecessary confusion within the party,” he said.
Saleshando said he learnt that in the build up to this conference, some in positions of leadership, engaged in a deliberate effort to exclude as delegates, those who were not intending to vote for their preferred candidates.
He said this could not be allowed, as it is abuse of power.
Saleshando reminded the congress that during the youth congress in Francistown, a case of assault between members was reported to the police.
“How can a contest for a party position lead to physical confrontation?” he asked.
The BCP president also said that the treasurer, Dennis Alexandra, would report to the congress that there are some elected members of council and Parliament who are stubbornly refusing to make the financial contribution that they had committed to make at the time they sought permission to represent the BCP.
Saleshando asserted that though the party availed all members the opportunity to participate in the debate on opposition party cooperation within official structures, some comrades preferred to debate the issue in the media.
He said in the process, they antagonised those who hold different views but have chosen to debate within the appropriate structures of the party.
“We have to act decisively to reverse this emerging trend. I am issuing a warning to all members that action will be taken against those who choose to undermine the party through their conduct.
No member has a right to shame and belittle the party through acts of indiscipline,” he said.