Mmegi

Ex-badminton official maintains innocence

Maintaining innocence: Bogatsu was charged with four counts
Maintaining innocence: Bogatsu was charged with four counts

Former Botswana Badminton Association (BBA) secretary-general, Gaolatlhe Thobo Bogatsu, says his fight with the association has left a bitter taste in the mouth but he pleads his innocence.

In February, Bogatsu was charged with four counts of misconduct, including bringing the name of the association into disrepute, unauthorised use of the association's property, and failure to surrender BBA's property. He was found guilty of all three counts. The fourth count relates to dishonesty, of which he was not found guilty. The BBA disciplinary committee, comprising Tyiyapo Mokobi-Mokhosoa (chairperson), Phemo Mosweunyane, and George Tshikare passed its verdict on March 26 in his absence. “You were duly served with the notice of the disciplinary hearing on March 23 via email. Two phone calls were made to you on the date of the hearing that rang unanswered and a 30-minute waiting period was granted, however, there was no attendance by yourself,” a letter from the committee reads.

Bogatsu told MmegiSport there could be no disciplinary committee hearing before a commission of inquiry was done first. “That was a joke of a hearing. I never bothered myself and I even wrote to Botswana National Sport Commission (BNSC) informing them that the BBA president, Modisaotsile Badubi, appointed the disciplinary committee and it was not endorsed by clubs,” he said. Bogatsu said there was a meeting with the BBA executive committee and the BNSC before the hearing and the BNSC instructed that the BBA committee should respond to his letter. However, he said the response was a disciplinary hearing. In an interview, Badubi said the BBA constitution prescribes how sub-structures and sub-committees are formed of which the disciplinary committee is one such structure. “However, bearing in mind that the disciplinary committee is supposed to be impartial, the national executive committee resolved to appoint independent people who do not have any vested interest in the sport. The committee has been appointed for a period of 24 months with the possibility of renewal to preside over not only this matter but all disciplinary matters in this period,” Badubi said.

Editor's Comment
Batswana need to do better to stop FMD

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