Four BNP activists suspended

MASERU– FOUR Basotho National Party (BNP) activists who last week criticised party leader Machesetsa Mofomobe over his leadership style have been suspended.
Mofomobe told thepost on Tuesday that the BNP national executive committee sat on the same day and resolved to suspend the four.
The suspended members are Seeiso Bereng, the Mekaling constituency chairman, Aupa Lebeko, the chairperson of the Tsikoane constituency, Makama Monese, the deputy chairperson of the Qhoali constituency, Lebohang Motaung, the chairperson of Phamong constituency, and ordinary member Khotso Phafoli.
“Those guys have been suspended pending their disciplinary hearing,” Mofomobe said.
“After the disciplinary (hearing), it would then be decided what should be done,” he said.
The suspension comes eight days before the party heads for its much anticipated elective conference where most National Executive Committee positions will be up for grabs.
Mofomobe’s position will however not be contested.
Bereng, who received his suspension letter on the same day, told thepost that the letter was “not procedural and comes from these congress people”.
He accused Mofomobe and the committee he is leading of behaving like they belong to one of the congress parties, saying their conduct lacked elements of a national party.
“I will not defect because of this congress leader,” he said.
He blamed the BNP’s poor performance during last year’s general election on what he called the “mismanagement” of the party.
Bereng accused Mofomobe of dividing the party by taking sides when he intervenes in factional disputes. He also accused the leader of responding to social media fights by smear-campaigning a group he does not agree with on local radio stations.
Bereng said it was against this background that he and his friends had decided to write the party a formal letter complaining about the leadership’s misconduct.
“Instead of answering us, the leader again went to radio stations,” Bereng said.
“We had to defend ourselves on the same radios too,” he said.
He added that they are thinking of approaching the courts of law to contest their suspension.
“We do not want anything from him, but respect,” he said.
“I have no interest to be part of the committee he is leading, but I am going to the elections.”
“I am the one who worked hard to make him a PRO, deputy leader and leader, and now he thanks me in this way.”
The purge follows a letter from the members urging Mofomobe to unite them rather than divide them, citing an incident which resulted in the killing of a member during the last elective conference.
Mofomobe was elected the BNP leader at that conference.
“After the NEC conference in 2021, we expected our leader to unite the sides for the sake of the party, unfortunately, that did not happen,” Bereng said.
“This led to many members defecting from the party while others decided not to cast votes at all.”

Nkheli Liphoto