Lies, deceit, double-cross as BMC P40m saga deepens :: Mmegi Online

Former Parliament speaker, Patrick Balopi alleges his namesake, the Agriculture Minister, Patrick Ralotsia duped him into releasing some of the assets legally seized from the Botswana Meat Commission (BMC) due to a P40 million debt, while the two were holding talks on an out-of-court settlement.

The explosive allegations are contained in Balopi’s submissions to the High Court made on Wednesday. Balopi, also a former Cabinet minister, alleges that the Agriculture minister made good faith representations, saying the matter between Balopi’s company, Walgreen Investments and the BMC should be resolved amicably and without resort to courts.

Deputy sheriffs recently seized perishable and movable assets from the BMC in Lobatse, also freezing the parastatal’s main account, due to the P40 million debt owed to Walgreen for outstanding feedlot services. Balopi’s attorney, Tebogo Tladi on Wednesday filed papers before court opposing the BMC recent award of a stay of execution, in the matter in which the assets were seized from the parastatal’s Lobatse headquarters.

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