Malesu fingered in karate rot

Mqondisi Dube | Friday January 23, 2015 20:58

 

A report released by a commission of inquiry set up to look into the BOKA leadership challenges, contains damning findings which exposes poor governance issues at the karate body. 

The BNSC chairperson, Solly Reikeletseng set up the inquiry late last year following the resignation of four BOKA committee members.  The commission, headed by the Director of Sports and Recreation, Falcon Sedimo unearthed financial irregularities and poor personal relations. Malesu has been accused of managing BOKA from “outside”, a development that was strongly condemned by the commission.

“One thing that is surprising is the indication that Ookeditse Malesu, a member of the BNSC executive committee, was somehow involved on the issues of BOKA.  “Almost all the interviewees noted that he was running BOKA from outside.

Issues from BNSC board meetings were usually known to BOKA members even before the OGM and or AGM,” the commission reported.

Those interviewed reportedly told the commission that they knew about the task force through Malesu.  “It is also alleged that the same Malesu, went to the BOKA office to intimidate and threaten the BNSC staff member about the security of their jobs here at the council (sic),” the report stated.

The commission recommended that members of the BNSC committee should desist from undue meddling in day-to-day operations of affiliates. “This undermines the principles of good corporate governance,” the commission said.

Malesu has dismissed the findings saying he read malice in the report. He said the commission never bothered to interview him.

“I have not seen the report, but how can I run BOKA when I am not in their committee? I long left karate, unless if there is a witch hunt. Bathai (Tshepo, the ex-BOKA president), is a very able guy. How do I get involved?” he queried.

Malesu said the only time he got involved in BOKA affairs was when he spoke to committee members who resigned and urged them to reconsider their decision.

“Some of them returned. If assisting is meddling, then I really do not know what meddling is,” Malesu said.

The commission also lays the blame on the BOKA crisis on personal egos and poor financial system. It said members take long to retire stipends from official trips while in some instances, there is no proper accounting. Bathai, who is among those who resigned, said it is untrue that Malesu remote-controlled the association.

“That is not possible. I don’t know why they will pick Malesu. May be it’s because we wanted him to run for a position at global level. Probably some people thought that he was pulling the strings behind the scenes,” Bathai said.

BNSC chairperson, Solly Reikeletseng fumed when contacted for comment. “Go and get a comment from the person who leaked the report to you. This an internal issue,” he said before hanging up. The BNSC board was expected to discuss the report this week ahead of an explosive BOKA meeting tomorrow.