BTO suspends CEO over Masisi’s hotel grading allegations
Sharon Mathala | Monday February 16, 2026 10:14
Setlang was suspended alongside the organisation’s board secretary, Kgotso Miles Ollyn. The development was confirmed to Mmegi by BTO Board chairperson, James Mmohe, who declined to provide further details on the reasons behind the suspension.
“I wish to respect the organisation and those affected,” Mmohe said briefly when contacted for comment.
However, information gathered by Mmegi indicates that the suspension follows a whistleblowing report submitted to the Directorate on Corruption and Economic Crime (DCEC) by concerned employees within the organisation.
In the report, employees accuse the CEO of gross mismanagement, corruption, and abuse of office. They allege that there is prima facie evidence of sustained administrative and financial irregularities at BTO.
Perhaps, most controversially, the employees allege that the CEO engaged in preferential treatment involving politically exposed persons.
According to the report, the CEO allegedly personally conducted accommodation grading of a commercial facility in Moshupa linked to a former president. Employees claim this was done without proper authority or technical mandate.
“The CEO personally conducted accommodation grading of a commercial facility in Moshupa linked to a former president, without authority or technical mandate. Preferential treatment involving politically exposed persons,” the report alleges. According to the whistle-blowers, the alleged misconduct is “characterised by arbitrary decision-making, erosion of internal controls, disregard for approved organisational structures, and governance practices inconsistent with the principles of accountability, transparency and value for money”.
Allegations of procurement irregularities
One of the allegations centres around the 2024 Makgadikgadi Epic event held near Sowa Town. Employees allege that the CEO approved, through a Request for Quotation (RFQ) process, the appointment of a company called Native Events to erect an exhibition stand branded “Art in the Pans”.
According to the whistleblowing report, despite what employees describe as observable failure by the service provider to deliver to specification, full payment was allegedly made. The report further claims that additional “extras” were paid for, resulting in what employees believe to be financial prejudice to the organisation. The contract value for the stand reportedly exceeded P3 million.
“Despite the service provider’s observable failure to deliver to specification, full payment was effected, including additional ‘extras’. This resulted in apparent financial loss to BTO and raises reasonable suspicion of negligence, collusion or corrupt conduct,” the report alleges.
Further allegations relate to the Khawa Dune Challenge 2023. Employees claim that BTO contracted a company called Going Africa Safaris to provide VIP accommodation services for the event.
However, the whistleblowers allege that the same provider was permitted to establish a competing accommodation facility targeting the same clientele at lower rates. As a result, more than 60% of BTO’s tented camp accommodation allegedly remained unoccupied. Despite this, the service provider was reportedly paid in full.
“The same provider was allowed to establish a competing accommodation facility targeting identical clients at lower prices. Over 60% of the BTO tented camp remained unoccupied, yet the service provider was paid in full. No internal inquiry or corrective action was instituted,” the employees allege in their submission to the DCEC.
The whistleblowing report further raises concerns about the handling of the CEO’s official vehicle. Employees allege that the vehicle was involved in multiple road traffic accidents. They claim that repairs were allegedly undertaken using BTO funds without the requisite police accident reports or insurance claims being processed, contrary to public service transport and asset management procedures.
“Repairs were reportedly undertaken using BTO funds without police accident reports or insurance claims, contrary to public service transport and asset-management procedures. Supporting payment records exist and can be availed,” the report states.
Employees also accuse the CEO of disregarding laid-down imprest management protocols. They allege that she routinely exceeded the prescribed period for retiring organisational imprest funds and, in some instances, allegedly applied for additional imprest without retiring previous allocations. The whistleblowers describe what they term a culture of weakened internal controls, arguing that such practices undermine financial discipline within the organisation. In addition, employees accuse the CEO of irregular promotions and favouritism within BTO, though specific details of these claims were not immediately available.
Setlang was appointed BTO CEO in July 2024, taking over the top post following the 2021 departure of former CEO Myra Sekgororoane. The position had been re-advertised several times before her eventual appointment.
Efforts to obtain a comment from Setlang were unsuccessful as she indicated that she is in no position to comment, “Ga ke kake ka bua,” she only said. The matter is expected to unfold in the coming weeks as investigations, if any, proceed.
Reached for a comment, former president, Mokgweetsi Masisi, explained: “Two ladies did come to advise on what needed to be done to meet minimum standards and those are the only two who came and I don’t remember their names. None of them were the CEO or acting CEO but they were from BTO. They came to give advice on what should be done. We have received no grading certificate whatsoever, whether it’s one-star, seven-star, eight-star, 0-star or whatever it is,” Masisi clarified further stating that he wished to make no further comment.