Khama implicated in BOCCIM lawsuit

Lawrence Seretse | Wednesday October 9, 2013 10:02

BOCCIM allegedly approached Has Construction to supply eight loads of river sand to the BOCCIM Trade Fair grounds on 21 May 2013. The job was well paid for in two days.  On 23 May 2013, Has Construction was again requested to spray water on the path that cars and customers were to use at the grounds at different times throughout the day.

Has Construction alleges that when notified about the charge for the service and requested for a signed job order, BOCCIM convinced them to carry on with the work saying the job order document would be signed later.

A letter addressed to the Office of the President by Hassan Nekati, owner of Has Construction, appeals to Khama to intervene in the matter.

Nekati alleges that BOCCIM management, under the authority of the CEO Maria Machailo-Ellis, refused to remunerate Has Construction claiming that a directive by Khama indicated that the costs for services were too steep and should not be paid.

 'On 28 June 2012, I was contacted by Machailo-Ellis on my cellphone telling me that she has concluded with President Khama not to pay me because a job order was never issued,' reads the letter.

Nekati refused to comment on the matter but has confirmed that he has engaged his lawyers and the matter is before court.

In the letter to Khama, the businessman says he strongly believes that the CEO was not telling him the truth when she said that the President directed that he be denied payment.

According to the letter, a total of 132,000 litres of water was allegedly sprayed on BOCCIM grounds from the 24 to 27 May at a cost of P140,448. The invoice was later faxed to BOCCIM. The organisation is said to have requested a discount.

Has Construction claims that BOCCIM requested a P100,000 invoice, which the Company refused and settled for around P126,000.

For her part, Machailo-Ellis said the matter is between BOCCIM and the supplier, not the media.

'These are internal matters. I would not want to discuss it,' she said.

A source close to BOCCIM information revealed to Mmegi that the organisation used President Khama's name in an attempt to scare Has Construction, but later changed their stance after realising that the Company had sought the President's help.

'When they realised that the Company has sought help from the Office of the President they changed their stance and said they meant BOCCIM President not President of the Republic,” a source revealed, noting that they were trying to use the President as a scape goat and instill fear in Has construction, so as to get favourable prices.