CIPA hold on to COSBOTS forensic report

Spira Tlhankane | Friday August 25, 2017 16:22

The delay to release the report is caused by the fact that the long overdue COSBOTS annual general meeting (AGM) has been postponed so many times, of recently being the failure to form a quorum. CIPA engaged Masitara Forensic Practice to investigate the allegations that were drafted as a legal opinion by former COSBOTS legal advisor, Pearl Mahlala. The legal opinion raised concerns of corruption and maladministration by COSBOTS management amongst others.

CIPA, as COSBOTS' mother body, was forced to probe financials of the royalties company after a heated tussle with their members due to the alleged misuse of funds generated from royalties. In an interview with Mmegi, CIPA’s director of compliance awareness and client services, Ntesang Sebetso confirmed that Masitara Forensics have completed their assignment and submitted the report to CIPA.

“As much as CIPA commissioned the investigation, it should be appreciated that the report is about the running of COSBOTS as a company licensed to represent artists in the country. Therefore, CIPA will present the findings to COSBOTS for the latter to chart the way forward for the betterment of the organisation,” she highlighted.

Sebetso said from a governance perspective, CIPA could only present the findings to COSBOTS through the COSBOTS Board.  “In that regard, CIPA awaits a fully and properly constituted COSBOTS Board, which CIPA hopes will be achieved at the adjourned annual general meeting to be held on August 28, 2017,” she said. 

Despite the fact that CIPA has decided to hold on to the report, some members implicated in the report, the former chairperson, Solomon B Monyame, amongst others, wants back into the Board. Monyame resigned after an extra-ordinary general meeting earlier this year after he overstayed his welcome.

However, Sebetso said regrettably and as per the laws that govern COSBOTS and its constitution, CIPA is not intimately involved in the election process, therefore, CIPA can only encourage COSBOTS members to make decisions with the best interests of both the institution and their own rights as artists. “CIPA wishes to assure COSBOTS members and its stakeholders that it stands ready to work with the Board to move COSBOTS forward.

The elections give members an opportunity to elect men and women they believe can effectively run the institution,” she said.

COSBOTS AGM will be held tomorrow (Saturday) at Paddock Centre in Gaborone.