BOKA board member challenges executive
Calistus Kolantsho | Saturday August 26, 2023 06:00
Keorapetse Dube, who serves as the public relations officer (PRO) and also holds the position of chief instructor for International Ryushin-kan on the BOKA board, has formally proposed a motion to lift the suspension.
This motion is slated for presentation to the general membership during the upcoming BOKA Annual General Meeting (AGM) scheduled for September 16. “Following the BOKA Annual General Meeting (AGM) invitation dated August 14, we officially submit the motion calling for the uplifting of the democratically elected BOKA secretary-general suspension with immediate effect,” Dube said through the letter.
He asserted Tshepang’s suspension is unwarranted and obstructs the secretary-general from competently fulfilling his obligations to the general membership, especially in light of the elective general meeting scheduled for January. "As the general membership, we were never informed of the executive decision to suspend the secretary-general only to hear about it in the newspapers," Dube expressed in the letter.
Arguing against the suspension, he contended that the president lacks the authority to unilaterally suspend a duly elected executive committee member without first conducting a proper disciplinary hearing, thus rendering the suspension unconstitutional. Dube elucidated that presenting motions ahead of the AGM is an integral constitutional requirement, and as such, Ryushin-kan is adhering to its constitutional prerogatives. Addressing potential repercussions for opposing the president, Dube asserted his lack of concern, stating that submitting a motion to the general assembly before the AGM does not warrant punitive actions. "What repercussions? From who? There is no board which has the powers to suspend a member for submitting a motion to the general assembly before the AGM.
The motion has been submitted and addressed accordingly to the relevant authorities," he told Mmegi Sport. He emphasised that BOKA's constitution is clear; the president does not have the powers to suspend an elected member. Conversely, BOKA president, Mpho Bakwadi refrained from commenting on the matter, citing its current consideration by a disciplinary body. "I don't want to comment on the issue of Mr Othusitse Dick as it's before the disciplinary hearing," he said. Tshepang's suspension was initiated in May, with his disciplinary hearing initially scheduled for July but subsequently postponed. He faces charges of violating the association's rules and regulations.
These charges include self-appointment as manager to the Botswana National Olympic Committee (BNOC) Beach Games without proper authorisation, which resulted in a verbal warning being issued. It is alleged that during the AUSC Region 5 Karate Championships held in Harare, Zimbabwe, Tshepang disregarded a "direct and reasonable" instruction to hand over funds to pay for athletes' accommodation as instructed by the BOKA president. Furthermore, concurrent with the AGM, the election of the appeals commission will be conducted.