BNYC gets new board despite lawsuit
Tsaone Basimanebotlhe | Tuesday November 10, 2015 16:53
In his State of the Nation Address, President Ian Khama announced that restructuring of the BNYC is complete and a new youth council board has been appointed.
The board was appointed by youth minister, Thapelo Olopeng last week.
“I had to do what is right by appointing youth who are capable. The board has a week now. I cannot comment on the case that is before court. The youth that I appointed had contributed also in employing other young Batswana,” Olopeng said.
Olopeng said Gobe Taziba is the new board chairman, but the minister said he was unable to recall the names of all the 11 board members.
Taziba confirmed that he has been appointed to the new board.
“I don’t know the names of the other members, but I know we are 11. I hope the committee will meet soon,” Taziba said.
Taziba contested against Louis Sibanda for the position of the BNYC executive chairperson early last year and lost.
In early April Sibanda was accused of alleged office maladministration and was suspended.
He said that he is clueless about the new appointment.
“What I know is that the investigation is still ongoing. The committee has taken the ministry to court and I don’t think the new board should be appointed,” Sibanda said.
The executive committee was disbanded by the minister following the allegation of misuse of funds among others. He, however, said he cannot comment on allegations.
Parliament ordered the youth ministry to investigate the allegations.
However, the committee challenged its disbandment and have taken the President, the minister, BNYC and its executive director, Benjamin Ratsatsi to court.
The committee wants the court to set aside the President and minister’s decision to dissolve the BNYC National Executive Committee. The committee is still awaiting judgement.