Bathai takes war to BOKA
Calistus Kolantsho | Saturday February 25, 2023 06:00
Bathai feels justice was not done when the decision was taken and he was not given a hearing. In the letter, Bathai said he only learnt of his expulsion through social media.
“It is alleged that I was expelled for disciplinary reasons. Without going into the constitutionality or lack thereof of the OGM, my understanding is that Article 9.8.6 provides that the disciplinary commission shall act as a tribunal of first instance,” the letter addressed to the president, Mpho Bakwadi reads. Bathai said no disciplinary charges have ever been preferred against him and no hearing has been held regarding allegations of misconduct. “No expulsion letter, if it does exist, has ever been handed to me.
By reason of the fact that all that I have before me are allegations, I request the following: a copy inviting me to attend a disciplinary hearing, minutes of a disciplinary hearing purportedly held against me, and a copy of the expulsion letter delivered to me,” Bathai said. In response, BOKA secretary-general, Dick Othusitse Tshepang said Bathai has been expelled from BOKA activities permanently.
He said the expulsion was taken by the general assembly during the January OGM. “Some of the reasons which aggravated your permanent expulsion from all BOKA activities are as follows: Your failure to hand over important financial documents (BOKA purchase order book) despite being advised to do so with reference to what the BOKA constitution provides for.
It is in the knowledge of the masses that you are still in possession of the purchase order and refused to sign for change of signatories with the bank for change of signatories deliberately to deny the appointed executive committee access to finances,” Tshepang said to Bathai. He said the general assembly concluded that Bathai brought karate into disrepute during his tenure as president. Tshepang said BOKA is still receiving debt from various suppliers around the country of which some are clear were personal services obtained under the pretext that services were rendered to BOKA.
“BOKA is appearing before the sport disciplinary committee due to your recklessness and rogue actions during your office tenure. We have handed over the matter to relevant authorities for investigations,” Tsehpang told Bathai in the letter. Bathai’s karate style, Nomichi’s affiliation to BOKA has been terminated due to failure to pay the annual affiliation fee.
The decision was taken by the executive committee and ratified by the general assembly. Meanwhile, Shukokai Karate Union has been reinstated. “You have been reinstated to BOKA following your unfair and irrational expulsion in 2019. You are advised to pay P2,000 to BOKA to claim your full membership,” reads a letter from BOKA in part.