One day in September: How Choppies fell

Mogae PIC: MORERI SEJAKGOMO
Mogae PIC: MORERI SEJAKGOMO

Five days before his suspension as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the regional grocer, Ramachandran Ottapathu submitted a restructuring proposal to turn the group around. When the Board met to consider the proposal, it also decided to suspend him. The drama in May actually began eight months earlier, in September, notes Staff Writer, MBONGENI MGUNI

But for the events on September 29, Choppies’ well-told tale of humble beginnings from a single store in Lobatse to a seven-country giant, would have remained unblemished.

In future, those who chronicle Choppies’ history will of necessity include the group’s dramatic fall in value last year, the suspension from trade that has ankle-cuffed shareholders to an uncertain future, the behind-the-scenes battle that felled the CEO and the overpowering odour of scandal.

Editor's Comment
Human rights are sacred

It highlights the need to protect rights such as access to clean water, education, healthcare and freedom of expression.President Duma Boko, rightly honours past interventions from securing a dignified burial for Gaoberekwe Pitseng in the CKGR to promoting linguistic inclusion. Yet, they also expose a critical truth, that a nation cannot sustainably protect its people through ad hoc acts of compassion alone.It is time for both government and the...

Have a Story? Send Us a tip
arrow up