Shokukai engages lawyers over BOKA standoff
Calistus Kolantsho | Friday April 9, 2021 14:18
Shokukai was suspended until the end of March after it was struck off the Registrar of Societies’ (ROS) database for non-compliance.
But BSKU chairperson, David Mathe felt the suspension was too harsh, as they could have been afforded the opportunity to comply first. He said he was disappointed at how events were unfolding at BOKA, an association that he once led for many years. BSKU lawyers have written to BOKA over the issue, in an attempt to reverse the suspension.
The karate style was suspended after it had been discovered that their file was missing at the Registrar of Societies. Mathe told Mmegi Sport it was surprising that the record of a Federation that has been in good standing for many years could just disappear and that treated as non-existent instantly. He accused BOKA of ignoring other processes, in opting to suspend the style.
“How else would I handle the issue because they (BOKA) neglected all due process requirements and jumped to a decision that punishes me? Where are the BSKU records because they were filed with BOKA when we were accepted as members? How do they jump to suspension even before they check their records? It is a clear ploy for elections,” he charged.
Mathe revealed he has been a member of BSKU for over 30 years. He said of these years, 25 were spent as a BOKA executive and as such was not allowed to be involved in the administration of the style. Mathe added that during that period, different committees administered BSKU. “Probably because of politics, several offsprings came out of BSKU (Kofukan, Hayashi, BSSU, Mabuni and Goju). When I left BOKA in 2018, my task was to revive BSKU and that was when we started facing challenges of delays, promises about retrieving the records but because we were not stopped from participating in BOKA activities, I must admit we were complacent and did not mount as much pressure as we do now,” he said.
Mathe said the only instrument that they have to prove that they were registered is a stamped constitution.
He explained that they have approached the Registrar of Societies and suggested that they should be allowed to re-register as it has been done before.
“But they said that was not possible rather we should wait until our file is found. Over time, we even requested to declare to have been de-registered so that we could start afresh, again they could not do that until they find our file. Mind you, the BOKA constitution states that one loses membership if they lose their membership with the Registrar of Societies and not when the Societies officers cannot find your file. So, tell me where they get authority to suspend us?” he asked rhetorically.
Mathe said they were forced to take the legal route as no one was willing to help them.
“I have decided to fight for principle and if need be, the courts would decide. I am sure if we sit and do nothing, but of course, we can’t, our suspension will be immediately lifted after elections,” Mathe said. He contends the suspension has to do with this month’s elections, as BOKA prepares to elect a new committee. BOKA president, Tshepho Bathai maintains the suspension is not harsh but is all about good governance.
When asked about Shokukai membership over the years, Bathai said he was unsure since he was not on the BOKA committee.
“I am not sure about good standing forever, I was not in BOKA. The suspension was taken by the executive committee,” he said.
Bathai confirmed that they have received a letter from the Shokukai legal team and that BOKA lawyers were acting on the matter.