• Molepolole delegation meets Khama over BDP state of affairs   
• Concerned over Khama/DK relationship  • BDP to go on retreat

BG reporter

A ten-man Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) delegation from the two Molepolole constituencies met President Ian Khama on Wednesday afternoon at the Office of the President to express their displeasure at the state of affairs in the party.
Paramount among the concerns raised by the delegation was the deteriorating relationship between Khama as party president and the MP for Molepolole South Daniel Kwelagobe, who is also party chairman.
A source told Botswana Guardian that they made the decision to seek audience with the president when it became evident that BDP is in trouble, as members continue to decamp to the opposition Botswana Movement for Democracy (BMD).
The source said they wanted to establish the main cause of the friction between Khama and Kwelagobe after they realised that the biggest problem in the BDP is the relationship between the two. ”In view of the poor working relationship between party president Khama and chairman Kwelagobe, we felt that as Bakwena we should intervene to save the party,” said the source. 
Another member of the delegation said Khama admitted before them that there are problems in the party, and promised to work hard at improving the working relationship between him and Kwelagobe. Khama is also said to have been agreeable to convening another meeting in the near future where the two parties will meet. After meeting Khama the delegation proceeded to parliament to appraise Kwelagobe on what transpired at the OP meeting. Kwelagobe is said to have committed himself to working with Khama for the good of the party.
However, he expressed concern that his insistence that the party should go on a retreat for introspection, is not being considered, sources said. Apparently DK also hinted that he has not been joining Khama in star rallies because he did not agree with the approach, as there was no clear plan going forward. It is said on the other hand Khama was also agreeable that the party should hold a retreat as suggested by Kwelagobe. “We are positive that the outcome of the meetings we had with the two men will pave the way forward and save the party,” said a source. 
BDP spokesperson, Dr Batlang Serema, said he is not aware of any meeting that took place between Khama and the delegation from Molepolole. The presidential media liaison officer, Sipho Madisa, was also not aware of the Wednesday afternoon meeting at OP. “The meeting would have featured in the president’s weekly schedule,” he said.    
The delegation comprised of chairpersons and their deputies from the branch committees of the two Molepolole constituencies and six councillors, three from each side. Councillors Motlhophi Leo, Rex Motshweneng and Jeffrey Sibisibi represented Molepolole South while Shabir Kablay, Bashi Kgakge and Moses Mmualefhe were from Molepolole North.