Bondo, Mojaki audio details emerge
Saturday, September 02, 2023 | 440 Views |
The investigation by the commission came because of an audio clip where there was a discussion that highlighted the possibility of match-fixing. The discussion was between Mojaki and referee, Joshua Bondo over the phone. Bondo appeared to repel advances to influence the outcome of a Premier League match as Mojaki pleaded with him to meet up with a certain 'Zakhem'. However, Bondo indicates that he is not interested in meeting with Zakhem “as he has destroyed our football". The report has since concluded that the Zakhem being referred to is Gaborone United financer, Nicholas Zakhem. Giving testimony to the commission, Bondo said he recorded Mojaki on April 7, 2023, at 10pm. Bondo said that he only leaked the audio to his colleagues who are referees and not the public. The recording came on the eve of a top-of-the-table clash between Gaborone United and Jwaneng Galaxy. Bondo said every time he met Mojaki, the BFA employee "always says things that put him in an awkward position". Bondo told the commission, chaired by Leviet Ntwaagae, of an incident when the two met at Sir Seretse Khama Airport while the referee was on his way out of the country to officiate a CAF match. Mojaki reportedly told the referee that there was a security company offering to install a security alarm at his (Bondo) place. “Mr Bondo initially did not want to mention the security company by name but indicated that it owned a Premier League team.
When quizzed further to mention the name of the team, he said it was Security Systems Football Club,” reads the report. According to the document, Bondo reportedly declined the offer for the security alarm. Bondo told the commission that referee Tshepo Gogagoba Mokani was present. Concerning match-fixing allegations, Bondo said he was surprised to receive a call from Mojaki ahead of the Galaxy clash as they hardly talk. “In respect of the accusations made during the telephone call that Mr Zakhem was destroying our football, he referred to a couple of encounters with him. He related an incident at Lekidi where they almost got into a physical altercation after Zakhem told him that he did not want him to officiate at GU matches,” reads Bondo’s submissions to the commission.
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