BFA drops charges against trio for ‘locking up’ BFL offices

Masitaoka chairperson, Godfrey Ratlhaga, Matebele director, Lame Macheke and Fobby Radipotsane of Pilikwe United, all had charges against them withdrawn this week. The three were charged with amongst others, for disrupting the administration of the league, instructing the BFL chief executive and staff to vacate office as well as violating the BFA’s Code of Ethics. The officials were suspended following the February 28 incident which came at the height of leadership wrangles within the BFL. But this week Tuesday, the BFA wrote to the three respondents, indicating that the charges had been withdrawn “to comply with the provision so of Articles 116 and 117 of the Botswana Football Association Disciplinary Code.” Article 116 states that: “Disciplinary infringements are prosecuted ex officio” and that “Any person or body may report conduct that he or it considers incompatible with the regulations of BFA or FIFA to the judicial bodies. Such complaints must be made in writing.” Article 117 indicates that “the secretariat carries out the necessary preliminary investigation ex officio under the chairman’s guidance.”