Billy Ntaote
Basotho National Party (BNP) leader Thesele ‘Maseribane and his deputy, Joang Molapo, face a tough battle to retain their positions at the upcoming elective conference after it emerged a faction led by an influential party member is pushing for their ouster.
The BNP is set to hold the conference from 29 April to 1 May in Maseru during which the party would choose a new National Executive Committee (NEC).
Chief ‘Maseribane was nominated BNP leader in March 2011 for a five-year term while the rest of the NEC members were elected in 2014 for two-year terms.
However, according to BNP insiders, the faction would target Chief Molapo in the election and once it succeeds, then pass a vote-of-no-confidence in Chief ‘Maseribane.
According to the sources, Chief ‘Maseribane’s position would not be contested since he cannot take part in the vote as he is living in exile in South Africa, but once his “faction” led by Chief Molapo is defeated, then he would be booted out of office.
Party chairperson Dr Nthabiseng Makoae and spokesperson Machesetsa Mofomobe are among those said to be in the ‘Maseribane “camp”. Both were not immediately available for comment and neither was Chief ‘Maseribane.
The Lesotho Times has since been informed the elective conference should have been held last month but was postponed due to the Easter holiday. It was then set for 8 to 10 April but had to be postponed again to 29 April-1 May due to unspecified reasons.
Chief Molapo this week told the Lesotho Times he was not worried about the election as the BNP is a “democratic organization” in which members have the right to challenge for any position.
“All the positions in the party are up-for-grabs in this coming election so people are free to contest because the BNP is a democratic organization,” Chief Molapo said.
However, Chief Molapo said he believed he remained popular “to all members of the party who have the best interest of the BNP at heart”.
