BFA to hire full-time legal advisor

Mqondisi Dube | Wednesday March 8, 2017 15:31

BFA has always had a legal advisor who is a volunteer, but has seen the need to appoint a resident legal advisor who will act as the Board secretary.

“He will advise on a day-to-day basis on legal matters. He is the internal lawyer of the association, who does not necessarily have to go to court (for BFA cases). He is the secretary to the board,” a source close to developments said.

Interviews have already been conducted although it is not clear who the preferred candidate is.

BFA public relations officer, Tumo Mpatane confirmed the interviews are complete.

“We have conducted interviews. When the final steps are done, the association will announce in due time,” Mpatane said.

Meanwhile, new BFA chief executive officer, Ookeditse Malesu has said he is not ready to grant media interviews as he undergoes induction after an appointment that has raised eyebrows in some quarters.

“I am not yet ready to give interviews yet,” was all Malesu could say yesterday.

A former Botswana National Sport Council (now Commission) Board member, Malesu falls under immediate scrutiny. His appointment has provided cannon fodder for Letshwiti critics, although the BFA moved swiftly to bat away concerns around the recruitment.  The association has argued it has every right to head-hunt its preferred candidate.

“We knew that it was going to raise questions. The president supervises the CEO, and the CEO supervises the secretariat and the president felt strongly Malesu is the right man. The majority of the NEC supported the appointment,” a source influential in the appointment of Malesu said. Some members in the NEC, said to be in the minority, were opposed to the choice.

“Thuso Dikgaka was not involved in football, he was an engineer, why are they questioning Malesu’s appointment? It’s about a person that we trust, Malesu was a commissioned member at the army, and was in a decision-making position. He has done engineering courses. Why do you doubt him before giving him the opportunity?” the source queried.

“He will have his technocrats who will make him successful.”

“We have had even appointments in high offices being rejected, not because they do not qualify, but because they are not politically correct and cannot be trusted with pursuing the (given) mandate. These are the unwritten rules, which we all know. Even in bigger organisations, adverts do not go out, they head hunt.  It’s not jobs for pals but it’s about people who understand your vision,” the insider said.

“We have seen past BFA presidents appointing their own people, including dubious characters being appointed CEOs, where was the noise?”