First Division chair denies wrongdoing
Koketso Kgoboge | Friday August 12, 2016 14:51
Sambandawe and his secretary general, Rapula Gaotlhobogwe were accused of unlawfully altering the names of delegates when they replaced Keitumetse Dijeng with treasurer, Mompati Ketlogetswe.
Sambandawe said they acted according to the constitution and an explanation as to why they altered the names will be addressed at the next First Division North annual general meeting (AGM).
“The constitution does allow for that provision,” he said.
“The constitution allows us the powers to make changes and give reasons at the next AGM. We have put in the treasurer because as per the constitution that is the only designation apart from the secretary general and the chairman that can replace any delegate.”
“However, we have nothing to hide and we have reasons as to why we replaced Dijeng with Ketlogetswe and we will address it to our members at the next AGM.” When quizzed why they refused to comment when the allegations broke out, Sambandawe said the matter had been take to structures above them.
“The issue was taken to structures above us before we even knew it existed. We came to learn about it through the BFA. We were also accused of fraud.
Therefore we did not want to interrupt the investigations, hence we chose to remain silent although we have always believed that if proper structures were followed the matter would have been dealt with in an amicable manner.”
Dijeng had responded to her omission by appealing to the BFA chief executive officer, Kitso Kemoeng.
Kemoeng confirmed he received the appeal but said it was a regional matter and therefore, had to send it back for resolution.
“I received two appeals from the north (FDN),” he said.
“One from (Eatlametse) Olopeng that was backed by some members and the other from (Ookeditse) Malesu and all of them are regional matters, therefore I have referred them to the region.”
However, Sambandawe said they have not received a formal communication on the matter from the BFA.
“We have not yet received the communiqué from the BFA, but as soon as we receive it we will act on it. We can only promise a detailed explanation on the alterations at the next AGM when all members are present,” he said.