Despite changes, netball crises flare
Calistus Kolantsho | Saturday July 13, 2024 06:00
Then-president Malebo Raditladi-Nkgakile, Seipei Gaelisiwe (vice president-project and events), Masego Serumola (sport development officer), and Mokeresete Mokeresete (public relations officer), were all removed through a motion of no confidence. But before the dust settles, chickens have come home to roost, as the axe has fallen on secretary-general, Thulaganyo Retshabile. Retshabile has been suspended by BONA president, Onkemetse Mpudi for three years over non-performance. According to the suspension letter, authored by Mpudi on Wednesday, Retshabile has been suspended from the BONA executive committee and active participation. “The suspension is effective from July 10, 2024, and it runs for a period of three years, up to July 9, 2027. In the meantime, all correspondences from Zones should be addressed to the vice president-projects and events as per the BONA constitution Article 9.2.5.3 (d) pending the development of the issue at hand,” the letter reads.
Retshabile told MmegiSport that she is being suspended for calling out the president’s wrong actions. She explained that she has never developed a performance agreement with the president. “I have never been called for a performance review by the president. I have never been called for performance assessment by the president, therefore I do not know how she came up with the marks that show that I underperformed,” Retshabile said. She said as far as she is concerned, their working relationship has been cordial, adding that Mpudi was being influenced by someone in the executive committee. Mpudi insisted that Retshabile had underperformed. 'She is not performing. Her portfolio duties are there to guide her. She may know them but doesn't want to execute them which is more important,' Mpudi said. BONA public relations officer (PRO), Stanley Modibedi, said he was disappointed with Retshabile's suspension. “This action, taken without prior consultation or the involvement of the national executive committee, is deeply troubling and raises significant concerns about the governance and procedural fairness within our association.
It is imperative to remind everyone of the established procedures that must be adhered to before any member can be suspended, formal review and documentation being the comprehensive review of the individual’s performance must be conducted, with clear documentation of any instances of non-performance or misconduct. The notice and opportunity to respond whereby the individual in question must be given a formal notice of the allegations against them and an opportunity to respond to these allegations,” Modibedi said in a letter to Mpudi. He said the matter should be brought before the national executive committee for discussion and the committee must review the evidence and consider all perspectives before reaching a decision. Modibedi said any disciplinary action must be proportionate to the offence, adding that a three-year suspension is severe and akin to expulsion than a corrective action. “Decisions of such magnitude must be made collectively by the executive committee, not unilaterally by the president. This ensures transparency, accountability and fairness.
The suspension of the secretary-general for three years without adhering to the above steps not only undermines the principles of due process but also sets a dangerous precedent for the governance of our association. This decision should be immediately reviewed, and the secretary-general should be reinstated until a proper and fair procedure is followed,” Modibedi's letter reads.