BCP reads sinister motives in stadium denial
Tsaone Basimanebotlhe | Wednesday October 15, 2014 16:52
After the opposition party had booked the area by way of P3,400 in cash to Notwane Sports Club, their payment was refunded on the grounds that the BDP had already hired out the adjacent National Stadium for its own rally. When the National Stadium is in use, the Botswana National Sports Council allocates the Notwane Grounds as parking space.
Amidst the BCP’s allegations it has since emerged that a church group – and not the BDP – had booked the National Stadium and will be holding a three-day crusade, which covers the period the BCP had wanted the grounds for.
This weekend is the last opportunity for political parties to campaign and the three main groups have major events pencilled in across the country.
In a statement, BCP presidential spokesperson outlined his party’s version of events.
“Notwane confirmed to the BCP Organising Committee that the grounds were available and we duly paid almost immediately by way of a cheque.
“This cheque was not receipted as it had not been deposited and cleared. When we followed up on the cheque unfortunately a Mr. Phiri of Notwane had not deposited the cheque.
“We then paid by way of cash and asked Mr Phiri to return the cheque we had issued previously. This was duly done and a receipt issued for the cash payment,” Dingake said.
He said when they were preparing for the event, they heard that BDP had secured the National Stadium and it was impossible to have two rallies on the same day.
“Worried about the possibility of the clash and the political tension that may arise we approached Botswana National Sports Council to verify these allegations,” Dingake said.
He said: “These the sports council denied. We learnt however, that we couldn’t have the grounds given that there was a church crusade at the National Stadium around the same weekend as our rally for three days or so.”
Meanwhile, Mmegi has verified that the National Stadium will be used by a church on that day and not the BDP.
BNSC chairman, Solly Reikeletseng said the mix-up was as a result of miscommunication between them and Notwane officials since the said church had booked to use the Stadium in June.
“We usually communicate about the events. I cannot remember the name of the church but it is not the BDP who have booked the stadium.
“That church has informed us that they have more than 6,000 followers and they will be using Notwane grounds as their parking space. “We have apologised to the BCP. This issue has nothing to do with politics at all,” Reikeletseng said. The BCP event will now be held at GSS grounds on Saturday.