Mqondisi Dube
13 January 2009
Selebi-Phikwe — The Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) Selebi-Phikwe regional committee summoned town Mayor, Amogelang Mojuta on Friday to respond to allegations of misconduct.
The two-hour meeting also sought to resolve differences between BDP Selebi-Phikwe West councillors and Mojuta.The mayor, who retained his post, is accused of campaigning for the opposition and being disrespectful to fellow party members.
He said the mayor was warned to guard against behaviour that could be miscontrued as undermining other party members.
Mojuta got a boost when the regional committee allowed him to contest Monday's mayoral elections. "We believe we have quelled the noise. We allowed him to run for the elections after we felt that we had addressed all the contentious issues," Moribame said.Mojuta is said to have refuted allegations that he was disrespectful to fellow party members and that he was campaigning for the opposition Botswana Congress Party (BCP).
Moribame said Mojuta told the meeting that he never meant to offend any party member and denied that he was aiding the opposition campaign.
He added that the meeting warned the mayor to guard against offending other BDP members.
Mojuta reportedly defended his decision to recognise two BCP councillors during the Mayor's ball in December.
"He said he was merely acknowledging the two councillors and not campaigning for the BCP," Moribame said.
He admitted that it was a difficult task trying to bring the two parties together. He said the two factions were made to appreciate that the party needs to be united ahead of the 2009 general elections.
"Our aim is to focus on the general elections so that we win both constituencies Selebi-Phikwe East and West. We believe we tried our best to calm the situation," Moribame said.
The meeting was reportedly called at the insistence of the BDP Central Committee following complaints against Mojuta.
Relations between some Selebi-Phikwe East and West councillors are strained by wrangling over the mayoral position.The ugly war has sucked in parliamentarians, Kavis Kario and Nonofo Molefhi.
It is known that the two former allies have turned foes as the battle for the control of the town takes centre stage.
Molefhi has been rooting for Mojuta while Kario supports specially-nominated councillor, Benjamin Bagayi.Selebi-Phikwe West councillors, Benjamin Bagayi, Mogae Ketshogile, Tebogo Matlhogonolo and Tshiamo Ikaneng reportedly wrote a complaint to the regional committee regarding Mojuta's alleged transgressions.
Mojuta was criticised for opting out of the official mayor's residence to a private house.
He also attracted the wrath of his party members when he recognised the two BCP councillors, Gaone Chamme and Alpheous Mashaba and none from the BDP during the mayor ball in December.
The mayor's critics argue that since he lost the primary elections, he has been on a vengeful path, to ensure that his BDP foes lose in the general election.
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