Ramochotlhwane fights back

After the dust has settled following his unceremonious exit from the Botswana Football League (BFL), Solomon Ramochotlhwane, former Chief Executive of the league office, is challenging the decision by the powers that be, arguing a case of unfair dismissal.

Ramochotlhwane has dragged the BFL before the industrial court and the status hearing date is set for 21st March 2023. The former BFL chief had 19 months left on his contract of employment after working for 17 months of the 36 months contract.

Sources close to the first BFL CEO claims that the BFL echelons of power were making it difficult for him to carry out his duties and in the process set him up for failure.

Close observers to the operations at the BFL office suggest that the BFL board of directors were not impressed by the performance of the former Green Lovers chairman during his time in office.

Apparently, the final straw that broke the camel's back sufficed when Ramochotlhwane was accused of maladministration, following reports of fraud and corruption.

On accounts of fraud and corruption allegtions, this publication has been told that the former CEO allegedly worked with a certain local company (names withheld), whose accounts, he intended to use on behalf of the BFL office, and therefore supposedly undermining the authority and structures of the league.

The matter became clear when the national broadcaster were planning to pay broadcasting rights to the BFL and they were given the account of the company; reasons being, the BFL were not registered with Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA).

The accusations are likely to make the bulk of the BFL defense in a case that is expected to open a can of worms regarding the BFL operations.

This publication previously reported that Ramochotlhwane was set to follow Aryl Ralebala, former BFL chairman, who resigned amid accusations of breaching corporate governance principles, following his dealings with BFA.

The BFL CEO exit package at the time, in case of contract termination by the BFL bosses was reportedly well north of P1 million pula and the BFL, given their financial struggles found it difficult to move him from his seat.

Meanwhile, former Botswana Football Association (BFA) CEO, Taylor was exonerated by the courts of any wrong doing after he also challenged the BFA over unfair dismissal.

Taylor was dismissed by BFA last year for ‘misappropriating' the association’s funds which amounted to at least P8.8 million.

FIFA officials were also invited into the country to assess the financial situation at Lekidi but they also did not find anything other than the already known embezzlement of funds at the BFA office.

She then decided to take the local soccer governing body to court citing unfair dismissal, and on Monday, the industrial court ruled in her favour.

The court awarded her the equivalent of three months’ salary as compensation despite her argument to get paid for the remaining two years of her contract. Meanwhile , when reached for comment this week Ramochotlhwane said he was pushed from his position at the BFL.'It was coerced, it was long planned that I should be removed from my position.

There was lots of blackmailing and pressure to have me tender a resignation—I was forced to resign. Fraud and corruption must be reported to the relevant authorities, why didn’t they report the matter,” the former BFL CEO responded when questioned on why he resigned and other accusations of fraud and corruption.