Kgotlele's case is like drying paint

MQONDISI DUBE
Staff Writer | Friday March 26, 2010 00:00

 

It is six months since allegations of match- fixing erupted when China hammered the Zebras 4-1 in an international friendly match.

Kgotlele was immediately suspended amid allegations that money had exchanged hands to influence the result of the match in China. BFA president, David Fani declared that there would be a speedy resolution to the case.

But that has not happened six months on. The excitement surrounding the case has died down, but a critical issue remains unresolved.

The BFA continues to pay Kgotlele while he wiles away time at home. Presumably, acting CEO, Susan Monametsi is getting an allowance.

It seems the disinterest in Kgotlele's case has extended to the concerned officials as well.

'The CEO says she cannot talk to you at the moment,' was the response from a woman who picked the phone at the BFA.

'The best person you can talk to is David Fani,' was all Kgotlele could say.

However, he admitted that the delay is an inconvenience to him. One source says the BFA has been dragging its feet on the matter so that Kgotlele's contract expires.

'Once it has expired, they will not renew it and it will save them the burden of having to deal with his case. The case will die a natural death,' a source said.

Late last year, wheels seemed to be turning in the Kgotlele case when about three hearings were made. But that was that and things have ground to a halt.

The hearings were adjourned when at one stage, Kgotlele requested time to go over some documents pertaining to the case. The BFA had reportedly not given him the documents before the hearing.

After three hearings, which were marred by false starts, everything went silent. It is business as usual at the BFA although the CEO is still on suspension. The Minister of Sport, Youth and Culture, Shaw Kgathi says his ministry is concerned with the delay. But Kgathi has not met BFA officials over the issue. He says the only people who can handle the issue at the moment are officials at the Botswana National Sports Council (BNSC) as the BFA reports directly to the council.

'It is a concern (that the case has not been finalised). Good governance dictates that a dispute should be resolved within reasonable time,' Kgathi says. He states that they cannot interfere because justice must take its course. Any intervention will be through the BNSC, he says. He says the BFA has been giving the BNSC regular reports on the progress of the matter.

The snail's pace of the case has riled some who believe that it is affecting operations at Lekidi House. Fani could not be reached on his mobile as it rang unanswered.