Mmegi

Systems coach, Botlhasitse pays a heavy price for xenophobia

David Bothasitse. PIC MORERI SEJAKGOMO.
David Bothasitse. PIC MORERI SEJAKGOMO.

Security Systems coach, David Botlhasitse has been banned for five matches and ordered to pay P15,000 for xenophobic utterances aimed at Gaborone United Burundian goalkeeper coach, Khalid Niyonzima.

The incident took place on November 29, 2024 last month following the two teams' clash which ended 1-0 in favour of Systems. On January 29, the Botswana Football League prosecutor, Makungekwa Maswabi charged Botlhasitse with a single count of misconduct, "relating to allegations of discrimination against a person on account of ethnic origin". He called Niyonzima a "lekwerekwere", a deregotory term used to refer to a foreign national.

The case was then referred to the BFL Disciplinary Committee which delivered its ruling on Monday. In addition to the ban and fine, Botlhasitse received three match stadium ban. He has already served a two-match suspension after he received a red card. The P15,000 fine is expected to be paid within five days of the ruling.

Editor's Comment
Get back what was stolen, and lock the door

That a single private law firm pocketed P6.5 million for just four cases, out of a total P11.1 million paid for 25 matters, reeks of a system that was not merely disorganised but open to abuse.Bayford has taken a welcome first step by telling the Public Accounts Committee the truth. Now he must act decisively to ensure it never happens again and that any money lost to wrongdoing is recovered.The figures are staggering. Whilst ordinary Batswana...

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