Mosah Mokganedi
8 July 2009
Allegations of underhand tactics have emerged ahead of the Botswana National Olympics Committee (BNOC) elections scheduled for next week.
The BNOC president Negroes Kgosietsile and sports development officer, Andrew Kamanga have been accused of playing dirty following the late release of candidates' names. The names were released this week and affiliates question why Kgosietsile started campaigning before the list of contestants was made public. Affiliates reacted with shock to reports that the BNOC refused to release candidates' names to the media. Kamanga has refused to give Mmegi Sport a list of the candidates despite several requests. "We are not forced by any law to give you the names. Ask our affiliates to help you," Kamanga told Mmegi Sport.
Solly Reikeletseng will challenge Kgosietsile who has been at the helm for more than 20 years. Kamanga is said to be spearheading Kgosietsile's campaign but some affiliates wonder why he should be involved in the elections when he is a BNOC employee.
Affiliates want stern action to be taken against Kamanga who they allege has taken it upon himself to distribute campaign materials to affiliates and the media. "How can he give you the campaign material but turn around and say he cannot give you names," wondered an affiliate official who preferred anonymity.
Kgosietsile said there is nothing wrong with him campaigning for the elections before the release of names because he knew he was nominated. He added that BNOC has appointed an elections committee and there is no way he can influence the outcome of the vote. He urged people who are complaining to be mature and approach issues with an open mind. "I never thought people could stoop so low," he said.
Kamanga maintained that he does not owe anyone a duty to release the names. "There are other people who are mandated to do that," he said. He denied that he was taking sides in the elections. He described himself as "a servant who acts on instructions".
"I am an employee of the BNOC and I report to the whole committee not just Negroes," Kamanga said.
He wondered why some people decided to run to the media when there is a BNOC complaints committee. He said they took long to release the names because they were still appointing the elections committee.
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