Assembly to settle BFA judicial ‘fight’
Mqondisi Dube | Saturday November 26, 2022 06:00
The build-up to the meeting has been characterised by accusations of undue influence on the association’s judicial bodies.
Billy Sekgororoane, who heads the Disciplinary Committee, set the cat among the pigeons with a social media post alleging members of the judicial committees were being purged for their recent decisions. “Recent judgments issued by different judicial bodies are what I suspect triggered the NEC (National Executive Committee)/secretariat to try and remove us before the end of our term.
None of the judgments went the way of the complainants who were either the Premier League or the BFA,” Sekgororoane told Mmegi Sport this week. “The judicial bodies are made up of independent-minded and people of integrity free from the NEC or secretariat interference.
It is this that irks some,” he added.
He said while there are no efforts to try to influence the judicial bodies, there is a general expectation that if the mother body is the complainant, decisions should go their way. BFA CEO, Mfolo Mfolo, in his notice on the weekend general assembly, indicated that the meeting will consider the election of new members of judicial committees due to non-performance by some of the incumbents. “I fail to understand how the author of that document can say we are not performing when there is nothing pending before us.
All that has happened is that judgments were not in their favour. My (social media) post was prompted by a document to be presented at the Assembly this weekend which seeks to remove me and others from judicial bodies on the pretext of non-performance,” he said. But Mfolo denies that there is a deliberate move to purge judicial members. “There is no interference.
We are refreshing the judicial bodies as some members have been in the committee since 2016 and there is nothing wrong with that as there is a provision in the constitution that allows that,” Mfolo said. “Judicial bodies are committees of the General Assembly and as such they are independent. They are not committees of NEC that is why even a NEC member can appear before them if there is that need,” he added. Other matters for discussion at tomorrow’s meeting are the ratification of holding the General Assembly outside the stipulated period.
The meeting was supposed to be held in August but the BFA says it was delayed due to elections at regional levels. On a related development, the meeting will approve the start of the league season before the Assembly was held. The local competition began in October.
The other matter on the agenda is the ratification of the appointment of Masego Ntshingane as BFA Vice President 1 after he replaced Marshlow Motlogelwa who resigned in February. Ntshingane, who was the second vice president, has been replaced by Senki Sesinyi. The meeting is expected to rubber-stamp the decision although there are reports some quarters will challenge the changes.
Suggested names for judicial bodies:
Disciplinary committee Outgoing: Billy Sekgororoane, Nondumiso Ntuli, Bathusi Rathari, Edwin Senai, Onalethata Kambai Incoming: Phemelo Rankoro, Lesego Babitseng, Kaelo Taupedi, Atang Latelang, Nnyaladzi Mokento
Ethics committee Outgoing: Marang Morakaladi, Moreri Sebonego, Patrick Matlho, Tlhomamisang Mabe Incoming: Chabo Peo, Obakeng Mellisa, Kealeboga Tshane, Yaone Molatlhegi
Appeals committee Outgoing: Fidelis Lekhao, Gideon Masilo, Tshepo Sebele Incoming: Nametso Makepe, Eddie Babitseng, Maswabi Maswabi