- Mamelodi camp to challenge termination, also readying contempt application
- BFA adamant that they followed the right procedure
BONGANI MALUNGA
The legal bout between Bennett Mamelodi and the Botswana Football Association is set to take another twist as his camp is reportedly preparing two urgent applications against the association at the High Court. Mamelodi’s contract was terminated by the association last week but a backlash from his camp is expected.
The sacked Botswana Premier League Chief Executive Officer’s camp is widely tipped to file a court application to set aside last week’s termination as they believe that they have still not been furnished with all documents and that a disciplinary hearing did not take place per court instructions.
They are also reportedly planning an application of contempt of court as they believe that none of Judge Singh Walia’s court orders have been followed, an application that could possibly have negative implications, including imprisonment, for whoever directly pulled the trigger on Mamelodi’s BPL career.
A possible contempt application will be based on reports that suggest that the BFA sent Mamelodi an incomplete general ledger which only covered some parts of 2015, a statement that the association has denied when reached for comment.
Sources claim that the association decided to terminate Mamelodi’s contract because he was proving elusive by submitting numerous sick leaves but another source close to the Mamelodi camp has indicated that the association was given detailed medical reports and records to support the sick leaves.
The Mamelodi camp’s source has revealed that the BPL CEO underwent a stress related heart surgery in South Africa and was given until April 24th to report back to the association in order for a hearing to take place, however, the association appeared to be trigger happy after running out of patience.
Reached for comment an undisclosed BFA official insisted that the correct procedure was followed as far as they are concerned. BFA Public Relations Officer Tumo Mpatane also weighed in by saying, “We do not want to be drawn in to comment about the former CEO. We need to respect the time he spent here, we want to remember his service in good faith.”
Asked if the association is braced for a backlash from Mamelodi Mpatane stated that “he would be well within his rights to contest his dismissal” but they have not been served with any documents hinting that another court battle is looming. “Until we are served with documents we cannot comment on the likelihood of another court dispute,” Mpatane concluded.