Sebata delay decision on Rollers assets
Mqondisi Dube | Friday May 2, 2025 12:38
These assets include a bus for the men's team, a mini-bus for the women's side, six vehicles for executive management and staff. Sebata also secured office space, accommodation for staff players and reached an agreement for the lease of the Royal Aria Stadium. The initial agreement was that Sebata Holdings invest P7 million per season over the next five years, to be used for operations. Now the future of the assets is unclear following the company's decision to pull the plug on the five-year deal, just a year after the signing. It was all pomp and fan fare when the company's director, Tendani Sebata and Rollers chairperson, Bafana Pheto, on behalf of the Society, penned the deal. However, all has not gone according to plan with reports pointing to a relationship that long struck the iceberg, leading to the eventual demise of a promising partnership this week
In a press statement, Sebata confirmed the withdrawal of 'all commercial and operational involvement with Township Rollers.' 'This decision follows a comprehensive internal review and legal consultation, which identified significant compliance and governance issues surrounding the nature of the club's ownership and its regulatory obligations under the Botswana Football League (BFL) and Botswana Football Association (BFA) frameworks,' the statement reads. Sebata's contention is that the Rollers committee misrepresented issues of ownership structure as well as failing to inform the BFL and BFA over the foreign takeover of the club. While Sebata has severed ties with Rollers, the group will continue to meet its obligation of paying staff salaries until the end of the season.
However, Sebata Consolidated Holdings' media liaison, Nqobile Ndlovu, told MmegiSport that nothing has been decided regarding the club's assets and also, the investment. 'Not yet regarding the assets in the club at the moment or the investment although the right is reserved,' Ndlovu said, adding there could be further developments in the next week. Rollers has meanwhile, chosen not to make public pronouncements on the matter. 'In accordance with club professional ethics, we will prioritise managing the transition internally, and not resort to addressing sensitive internal issues publicly. We will endeavour to engage further with the Sebata Group for a smooth transition,' Rollers spokesperson, Pako Lebanna, said through a statement this week.