BNF suspends Kgosipula

The politician contested and lost the BNF primaries in the constituency in March. The constituency committee says it has taken action against Kgosipula because he has been disrespectful. The committee accused the politician of saying, on many occasions, that he does not recognise it.  

Lately, he is said to have refused to appear before the committee to explain why he addressed public meetings without permission.

A member of the committee, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said they suspended Kgosipula because he looks down on the body. 'Before the March primaries, we agreed that the constituency committee would launch all candidates at once before the electorate. We were shocked when he went around the constituency launching himself,' the source said. He added that Mogoditshane constituency was peaceful until Kgosipula's defection from the Botswana Congress Party (BCP). 'The problem is; he is the darling of the Central Committee. They listen to him more than anyone else,' said the source. At the moment, Charles Charles, who beat Kgosipula at the March primaries is said to have been suspended together with the four council candidates who supported him. 'I also think the Central Committee is behind this decision. They want to make sure that no matter what, Kgosipula wins in the re-run of the primaries. The letter suspending Charles and the council candidates interestingly came a day after the Central Committee ordered that there be a re-run of the Mogoditshane constituency. You could see that they wanted their man Kgosipula to sail through easily,' said a BNF member in the constituency.

Meanwhile, Kgosipula has told Mmegi that he has received no suspension letter from the constituency. He refused to comment on allegations that he was disrespectful to the committee. BNF spokesperson Moeti Mowhasa said he would not comment on the issue saying the party respects its structures and the decisions they take. He denied that the Central Committee favoured Kgosipula against Charles, who is seen as anti-BNF president Otsweletse Moupo.

'Those are wild allegations. People should look at the transgressions committed by those suspended. It does not mean that when you are anti-Moupo, you have to trample the party constitution and do as you wish,' he said.