- State President Assistant Minister implicated - Red Cross management rejects petition, accuses political forces of meddling - Another petition looming to force Minister Mohwasa to fire Red Cross CEO and team - Fight for control of BRCS millions at play
Botswana Red Cross Society (BRCS) skeletons are tumbling out of the closet and its former members and now Assistant Minister for State President Maipelo Mophuting has been implicated in the ongoing internal fights.
The fights at BRCS, according to information gathered, date as far back as 2020/21. It has since emerged that the information that is now coming out is as a result of long-standing feud between the leadership of BRCS and some members.
Central to the internal fights, according to sources is the CEO Kutlwano Mukokomani and Mophuting whom at the time was a member and was eyeing the presidency of Red Cross. Last week Volunteers of Botswana Red Cross and its former employees petitioned the Minister for State President and the Directorate on Corruption and Economic Crime (DCEC) on possible corruption and maladministration.
In their petition, they want immediate action taken against corruption and maladministration happening under the leadership of Secretary General of Botswana Red Cross, Kutlwano Mukokomani alongside senior Managers: Programmes Manager, Tshepo Dixon and Head of Health Neo Mogowa.
According to the petition signed by the volunteers and former employees, they want the senior management officers to be suspended pending an investigation of corruption and looting projects funds. The petitioners revealed that in February and April 2023, Botswana Red Cross Society implemented Ministry of Health polio campaign awareness and prevention project. They argue that project funds were embezzled.
Red Cross has since dismissed the petition allegedly handed to the Assistant Minister for State President calling for the suspension of Mukokomani and his management, Neo Mogowa and Tshepo Dixon. The petition also called for the dissolution of the governance board.
Inside sources argue that the alleged petition is a political smear campaign that attempts to undermine the organisation’s reputation. The humanitarian body has also raised concerns about potential political interference, particularly from Assistant Minister of State President, Maipelo Mophuting, who has a well-documented history of disputes with BRCS.
The controversy has reignited scrutiny over Mophuting’s past conflicts with BRCS, dating back to 2020 when she unsuccessfully attempted to secure a senior role in the organisation.
After failing to qualify for the presidency of the Red Cross board, she took BRCS to court and halted its elections, leading to a protracted legal battle.
The battle ended with the arbitration that awarded the ruling in favour of Red Cross, which later held its elections in Kang. During their general assembly, members elected their current President Odirile Otto Itumeleng, documents that Botswana Guardian has, have revealed.
They reveal that Mophuting tried her luck for the Presidency after the office of the CEO declined to hire her as Marketing and Communications Coordinator.
According to a Summary of Presidential and Deputy, a total of eight nominees, four Presidential and four for Vice President. On the comments section Mophuting was disqualified after it was established that she had less than two years as Red Cross member and also attached membership card for a different region.
The Kanye Branch also distanced itself from her nomination for presidency, a document dated 27/01/2021 states.
Mophuting who holds a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in International Studies Corporate Communications and Marketing Executive with over 10 years experience and was at the time a Managing Director of her own Consultancy Firm, pointed out in her application for presidency that she is a Kanye Branch Secretary - term from 2020-2022.
Another controversy that stirred divisions within the organisation at the time was a rejection letter to hire Mophuting for the Marketing and Communications position by the Human Resources and Administration Manager, Bisani Gaseyo in July 2020.
On the Red Cross Society Social media page one member commented “Tell Mokokomane that Maipelo Mophuting is the Minister of State President, we are coming.”
This publication can reveal that there is another petition being prepared.
About 500 signatures are being gathered so that another petition can be handed to Minister of State President, Moeti Mohwasa on the 24th of February 2025 and a peaceful match to force the minister to take action at the organisations.
According to audio files, members will be transported from all corners of the country where they will invade the Office of the President and demand action and deliver the petition which will be more or less similar to the one handed last week.
In a 2023 interview, Mophuting admitted that her entry into politics was partly fuelled by her frustrations with Red Cross leadership and governance. Now, her role in receiving and potentially influencing the latest petition has raised serious ethical questions.
Sources close to the matter argue that her direct involvement in handling the petition is a clear conflict of interest.
“She should not be involved in this issue at all. Her past grievances with the organisation make her unfit to fairly assess this matter,” a source familiar with the dispute, said.
There is speculation that Mophuting may not have disclosed her history with BRCS to her superiors, raising further concerns about whether she is using her office to revive a personal vendetta.
Mukokomani warned that the ongoing politicisation of Red Cross affairs could have damaging effects, particularly on donor confidence and operational stability. He argues that the organisation follows strict internal dispute resolution mechanisms, with cases escalated to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) in Geneva when necessary.
Mukokomani confirmed that no formal complaint has ever been lodged through these proper channels. The BRCS has vowed to stay focused on its humanitarian mandate despite what it sees as external attempts to destabilise it.
Mukokomani reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to integrity and service, stating that the Red Cross would not allow itself to be turned into a battleground for political disputes.
Contacted this week, Mukokomani rubbished the allegations of corruption and abuse of office levelled against him, stating that the claims lack substance and were orchestrated by a small group of disgruntled former volunteers who are not members of the organisation.
“These accusations are completely baseless. Our audited financial reports and governance structures are transparent.
“The individuals behind this petition are not acting in the interest of the Red Cross but rather pushing their political agenda which is against our fundamental principles as the Red Cross,” he said.
The BRCS boasts 15,000 volunteers and 4,000 registered members who actively engage in decision-making processes. Mukokomani pointed out that at no point have these allegations been raised within the organisation’s formal structures, including its yearly General Assemblies and quarterly Board meetings.
“This petition does not represent the collective view of Red Cross members in Botswana. The so-called petitioners have long sought to politicise the organisation,” he added.
Assistant Minister Mophuting stated that all that is false. She said what happened in the past is a closed chapter. According to the Assistant Minister, she does not know why the matter is being brought up after all this time.
“I have decided not to engage on that matter anymore. I don’t know why they want to tarnish my name. I belong to the government of transparency and accountability and that is what we will give Batswana.
“I left the matter to my attorneys of record, they will compile everything and respond accordingly to the public as my way of being responsible, accountable and transparent”, she said in an interview on Wednesday this week.
The fights at BRCS, according to information gathered, date as far back as 2020/21. It has since emerged that the information that is now coming out is as a result of long-standing feud between the leadership of BRCS and some members.
Central to the internal fights, according to sources is the CEO Kutlwano Mukokomani and Mophuting whom at the time was a member and was eyeing the presidency of Red Cross. Last week Volunteers of Botswana Red Cross and its former employees petitioned the Minister for State President and the Directorate on Corruption and Economic Crime (DCEC) on possible corruption and maladministration.
In their petition, they want immediate action taken against corruption and maladministration happening under the leadership of Secretary General of Botswana Red Cross, Kutlwano Mukokomani alongside senior Managers: Programmes Manager, Tshepo Dixon and Head of Health Neo Mogowa.
According to the petition signed by the volunteers and former employees, they want the senior management officers to be suspended pending an investigation of corruption and looting projects funds. The petitioners revealed that in February and April 2023, Botswana Red Cross Society implemented Ministry of Health polio campaign awareness and prevention project. They argue that project funds were embezzled.
Red Cross has since dismissed the petition allegedly handed to the Assistant Minister for State President calling for the suspension of Mukokomani and his management, Neo Mogowa and Tshepo Dixon. The petition also called for the dissolution of the governance board.
Inside sources argue that the alleged petition is a political smear campaign that attempts to undermine the organisation’s reputation. The humanitarian body has also raised concerns about potential political interference, particularly from Assistant Minister of State President, Maipelo Mophuting, who has a well-documented history of disputes with BRCS.
The controversy has reignited scrutiny over Mophuting’s past conflicts with BRCS, dating back to 2020 when she unsuccessfully attempted to secure a senior role in the organisation.
After failing to qualify for the presidency of the Red Cross board, she took BRCS to court and halted its elections, leading to a protracted legal battle.
The battle ended with the arbitration that awarded the ruling in favour of Red Cross, which later held its elections in Kang. During their general assembly, members elected their current President Odirile Otto Itumeleng, documents that Botswana Guardian has, have revealed.
They reveal that Mophuting tried her luck for the Presidency after the office of the CEO declined to hire her as Marketing and Communications Coordinator.
According to a Summary of Presidential and Deputy, a total of eight nominees, four Presidential and four for Vice President. On the comments section Mophuting was disqualified after it was established that she had less than two years as Red Cross member and also attached membership card for a different region.
The Kanye Branch also distanced itself from her nomination for presidency, a document dated 27/01/2021 states.
Mophuting who holds a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in International Studies Corporate Communications and Marketing Executive with over 10 years experience and was at the time a Managing Director of her own Consultancy Firm, pointed out in her application for presidency that she is a Kanye Branch Secretary - term from 2020-2022.
Another controversy that stirred divisions within the organisation at the time was a rejection letter to hire Mophuting for the Marketing and Communications position by the Human Resources and Administration Manager, Bisani Gaseyo in July 2020.
On the Red Cross Society Social media page one member commented “Tell Mokokomane that Maipelo Mophuting is the Minister of State President, we are coming.”
This publication can reveal that there is another petition being prepared.
About 500 signatures are being gathered so that another petition can be handed to Minister of State President, Moeti Mohwasa on the 24th of February 2025 and a peaceful match to force the minister to take action at the organisations.
According to audio files, members will be transported from all corners of the country where they will invade the Office of the President and demand action and deliver the petition which will be more or less similar to the one handed last week.
In a 2023 interview, Mophuting admitted that her entry into politics was partly fuelled by her frustrations with Red Cross leadership and governance. Now, her role in receiving and potentially influencing the latest petition has raised serious ethical questions.
Sources close to the matter argue that her direct involvement in handling the petition is a clear conflict of interest.
“She should not be involved in this issue at all. Her past grievances with the organisation make her unfit to fairly assess this matter,” a source familiar with the dispute, said.
There is speculation that Mophuting may not have disclosed her history with BRCS to her superiors, raising further concerns about whether she is using her office to revive a personal vendetta.
Mukokomani warned that the ongoing politicisation of Red Cross affairs could have damaging effects, particularly on donor confidence and operational stability. He argues that the organisation follows strict internal dispute resolution mechanisms, with cases escalated to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) in Geneva when necessary.
Mukokomani confirmed that no formal complaint has ever been lodged through these proper channels. The BRCS has vowed to stay focused on its humanitarian mandate despite what it sees as external attempts to destabilise it.
Mukokomani reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to integrity and service, stating that the Red Cross would not allow itself to be turned into a battleground for political disputes.
Contacted this week, Mukokomani rubbished the allegations of corruption and abuse of office levelled against him, stating that the claims lack substance and were orchestrated by a small group of disgruntled former volunteers who are not members of the organisation.
“These accusations are completely baseless. Our audited financial reports and governance structures are transparent.
“The individuals behind this petition are not acting in the interest of the Red Cross but rather pushing their political agenda which is against our fundamental principles as the Red Cross,” he said.
The BRCS boasts 15,000 volunteers and 4,000 registered members who actively engage in decision-making processes. Mukokomani pointed out that at no point have these allegations been raised within the organisation’s formal structures, including its yearly General Assemblies and quarterly Board meetings.
“This petition does not represent the collective view of Red Cross members in Botswana. The so-called petitioners have long sought to politicise the organisation,” he added.
Assistant Minister Mophuting stated that all that is false. She said what happened in the past is a closed chapter. According to the Assistant Minister, she does not know why the matter is being brought up after all this time.
“I have decided not to engage on that matter anymore. I don’t know why they want to tarnish my name. I belong to the government of transparency and accountability and that is what we will give Batswana.
“I left the matter to my attorneys of record, they will compile everything and respond accordingly to the public as my way of being responsible, accountable and transparent”, she said in an interview on Wednesday this week.
