Fencing Affiliates Fed Up With BAFS Committee
Calistus Kolantsho | Monday July 31, 2017 16:01
The affiliates held a special general meeting over the weekend where they agreed on one voice to pass a motion of no confidence against the committee. The leadership was put in office on April 1, 2017 and was led by Mandla Masuku.
The committee was absent at the meeting as they were said to be conducting a tournament at University of Botswana. The motion was tabled by Robust Fencing Club and seconded by North Rise Club. The main contention was that despite affiliates having complied with fencing requirements, they were being sidelined.
They complained that the committee was focussed on clubs that have not complied. They also complained that they have not been supplied with equipment while the non-compliant clubs were provided with the equipment. The clubs raised concerns that public funds are being spent on clubs that are not members of BAFS.North Rise chairperson, Gaolathwe Mudongo said they called for the meeting because they were concerned about BAFS’ state of affairs. “We formed a quorum and the constitution provides that 50% of the members are allowed to call a special general meeting.
The document indicates that if the executive committee fails to convene a meeting at the request by half of the members, only two-thirds of all members shall have power to delegate one of the members to call the meeting and act as a chairperson,” he said. Mudongo said they had invited the executive committee to attend the meeting, but they did not pitch up.
The committee additional member, Bashi Lechaena was the only one present at the meeting. He said their absence could not stop the meeting because they followed the constitution. One of the members, Thabologong Nageng said they wanted to know why the treasurer, Gosego Nkwe had resigned. Mudongo said he had learnt that Nkwe decided to quit because he was against the way things were being done.
“Nkwe is a professional accountant and he felt that things that were being done were against his profession’s ethics. Funds were not being deposited in the bank account and that was going to make it difficult for him to keep track,” Mudongo said.
He said the resolution to remove the committee from office would be submitted to the Botswana National Sport Commission (BNSC) today, so that it (committee) be de-recognised. The meeting agreed that the committee should return all the equipment to the BNSC until a new committee is elected.
The meeting was attended by representatives from Robust, Metsimasweu, Boipelego, North Rise and Sir Seretse Khama fencing clubs.