Motsamai betrayal
Oarabile Mosikare | Friday September 8, 2017 18:00
Motsamai who is employed as Babereki Investments executive chairperson was finally slapped with 10 days suspension letter on Wednesday. This was amidst talks of rampant abuse of resources and poor business decision at the Babereki Investments, a commercial arm of BOPEU, that he joined in February this year.
On Saturday, Motsamai’s successor at BOPEU Masego Mogwera and her executive committee met and resolved to fire the flamboyant Motsamai allegedly over millions of pulas gone down the drain via multi-million investments at Future Sustain International and Fly Mission Services.
He was also accused of channelling undisclosed funds into the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC). Those close to Motsamai say he never saw it coming. He was caught off guard. He was in a slumber. This week he learnt the literal meaning of the saying “when days are dark, friends are few”. Motsamai is now an isolated man. “Nobody wants to be seen with him for fear of reprisals from BOPEU leadership,” said the source close to Motsamai.
Another source gave an example of a prominent attorney who was recently retained by the union. Earlier this week, it is said that Motsamai went to see the lawyer so that he could provide him with counsel. The lawyer gave him the impression that he will help as he is close to Mogwera. Their meeting was confidential but it turned out the lawyer informed Mogwera and others about the meeting. “This is betrayal of the highest order. Motsamai facilitated a retainer for this lawyer and now he is turning his back on him.”
Motsamai is said to have stepped on many toes before as BOPEU leader. The source says the unionist is having a taste of his own medicine. “He was in a slumber forgetting that those who live by the sword die by the sword. It is a political war. There is nowhere you can remove purging from BOPEU politics.” He added that Motsamai thought this cannot happen to him and now he does not have a comeback strategy.
The next step will be a purge against Motsamai loyalists in the union leadership. “Motsamai was betrayed by the people he handed over power to. Now these leaders who are also directors of Babereki Investments want control of the company.” Motsamai has confirmed that he was given a leave of absence for 10 days. He explained that this leave of absence collided with his 10 days off he took on Tuesday.