Centre Chiefs players assault case postponed again

Nnasaretha Kgamanyane | Friday March 14, 2014 17:11

Joshua Bondo has dragged Moloi and Mohaladi before the court alleging that the two assaulted him during a premier league game against Township Rollers FC last year.  The case has been postponed a couple of times as both the players did not show up in court.  The case was initially postponed after it was reported they would be preparing for last week’s matches.  It was later postponed again after the witnesses Rollers assistant coach Teenage Mpote and player Sekhana Koko did not show up.

In their appearance yesterday,  Mpote and Koko pleaded with the court to let Moloi, Mohaladi and Bondo resolve the matter at Botswana Football Association (BFA) and FIFA organisations. 

Mpote told the court that he could not testify against the two players as this case could be settled by the relevant football organisations.

He said that both parties, more especially Bondo as a senior, have clear understanding of local football rules and regulations. He said that they knew the appropriate route to take to have the matter resolved. Mpote said that he failed to understand why the complainant decided to report the case to the customary court as if he was not satisfied with the action taken by BFA. He said that the football association is the only organ eligible to solve the matter, as it is responsible for taking any actions against the players. Mpote said only BFA and FIFA had the powers to decide whether to suspend or expel them from playing professional football.  He said that he could not testify without being given the go ahead by both or either of the organisations.  “I can’t testify against them as there would be a time I would like to work with the defendants.  Local football is small and there may be a time where I would be interested in buying one or both of the players or even seek for a job to coach Centre Chiefs club.  How would I be able to work with these players when we already have bad blood between us?” Mpote asked the court.

He asked if it was possible that the duo could be punished for the same offence twice as they had already been punished by the BFA.

Monametsi granted that Mpote not  testify and urged Bondo to seek advice from the football organisations. He postponed the case until such a time that both parties and witnesses would have been adviced by the BFA and FIFA.

Monametsi then asked Bondo why he filed a report with the police knowing that the two have been punished. Bondo told the court that he had already reported the matter to the police before BFA handled the matter. Monametsi ordered Central Police officer constable Themba Jiya to confirm with the football associations on how the case could be settled. Jiya said that he would give the customary court feedback on April 3, 2014.

This was not the first time that referee Bondo was assaulted by Mochudi Centre Chiefs players.  He experienced a similar ordeal in 2008 where some players attacked him after accusing him of mishandling a Premier League grudge match against Extension Gunners at the National stadium.