Dada dragged into Masisi family tender dispute

Mmegi has in its possession a legal document from President Masisi nephew Olebile Joseph Pilane, lawyers Moesi and company, a lawfirm which drags Dada into the dispute.

In his quest to further prove his case,Pilane has written to Dada. In the letter dated May 23, 2023, referenced “Olebile Joseph Pilane Vs G&M Building services (Pty) Ltd, Kelebogile Monnatshipi, Tswela Khumo ventures (Pty) Ltd & Huashi Li- CVHGB 002782/2022” Pilane's lawyers inform Dada that he will soon be dragged to court either voluntarily or will be forced. Dada according to the letter will explain and prove that the BDP received money from a businessman who has been favoured in government tenders.

“We wish to give you notice that when trial comes, we shall be calling you as one of the witnesses to give evidence on behalf of our client. You will be expected to explain to the honourable court circumstances under which a cheque in the amount of P 200,000.00 was issued to BDP on October 6, 2022 by Pre con construction (Pty) Limited whose exclusive shareholder is one Huashi Li.”

“A copy of the said cheque apparently received by you in your capacity as BDP treasurer is annexed hereto for case of reference,” the letter further reads. The lawyers further warn Dada, that “Kindly indicate to us your willingness to volunteer to give evidence when the matter is called for trial, failing which we not have any option but to issue subpoena against you in terms of order 44 Rile 1(i) of the rules of the high court.”

The matter is in relation to a court case between Pilane and his aunt, Boitumelo Phadi–Mmutle (Masisi sister) and their business associates over the Water Utilities Corporation (WUC) half a billion pula tender for the Goodhope Sub-District water supply.

Pilane said all was well within the family until he refused to give 5% of the monies to the BDP, as per instruction. “The fourth defendant had inter alia, instructed and expected the plaintiff to arrange for payment of five percent of the Goodhope Sub-District water supply tender contract sum to the BDP, which plaintiff on behalf of the first defendant declined,” reads Pilane's court papers. “The fourth defendant informed the plaintiff that for the first defendant to win the tender, such undertakings had to be made to the BDP as he has done it before for Pre Con by paying some money to the BDP at tender stage,” he said in court papers.

Furthermore, he said after refusing to give BDP some of his tender money, his aunt threatened him. “Upon receipt of the letter, the fourth defendant became livid and threatened the plaintiff with violence and harassment from some state security agents. The fourth defendant instructed the plaintiff to attend a meeting concerning the affairs of the first defendant at a house in Phakalane on October 19, 2021.” Pilane also said. He said he complied and attended the meeting with his aunts. "At the said meeting, the fourth defendant presented a draft statement for signing by the plaintiff indicating his resignation as a director and shareholder of the first defendant. When the plaintiff indicated his refusal to sign the said draft statement, the fourth defendant and Phadi-Mmutle uttered words to the effect that some state security agents (DIS) will ensure that he resigns from the first defendant,"he said. Bowing to pressure, Pilane said he signed the draft statement of resignation.

“About two weeks from the date of the meeting amongst the plaintiff, the fourth defendant and others at Phakalane, the plaintiff was listed by the director general of Directorate of Intelligence and Security (DIS) Peter Magosi at Mochudi where he demanded that the plaintiff should surrender to him a copy of a cheque issued earlier by Pre Con to the BDP,” further reads the document.

Pilane said he handed over the cheque to Magosi, but he kept a copy for himself, a copy to which he is now using to prove his case and asks that Dada comes to court to explain the said cheque.