Intrigues behind the suspension of BNYC chairman
Sharon Mathala | Friday April 17, 2015 16:35
Those close to the controversial Sibanda allege that he was too stubborn to tow the party line, hence his corruption and maladministration allegations made against him. “Sibanda is being crucified because of his stubbornness. The powers that be want to get rid of him because he doesn’t want the BDP to abuse the BNYC,” said a source close to the events.
He said one of the reasons why Sibanda fell out of favour with the BDP could be traced to ‘One Youth, One Vote’ campaign in Gaborone for the general elections last year. “The BNYC was approached by musician Odirile ‘Vee’ Sento of Black Money Makers (BMM) last year to fund the ‘One Youth, One Vote’ campaign billed for October 18-19, 2014,” said the source.
The council agreed with the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture (MYSC) and got into contract with Sento’s BMM. The campaign was meant to encourage the youth to turn up in large numbers to vote in last year’s general election. However, the event never took place after the ministry allegedly threw a spanner in the works on the orders of President Ian Khama.
“The ministry forced the council to cancel the more than P600,000 contract with BMM. The BDP felt that the campaign was not in its best interest. The ruling party felt threatened by the opposition especially in Gaborone.
Apparently this was a direct order from the President himself. The BDP then took over the dates and artistes to perform at their mega rally for the Gaborone region that featured Khama who was also the guest speaker at Maharaja open space. The BNYC was forced to negotiate with BMM which had the contractual agreement for more than P600,000. In the end BMM agreed to be paid P300,000,” a source said.
The cancellation of the contract allegedly resulted in a tug of war between the then Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture Permanent Secretary, Ruth Maphorisa and Sibanda.
The source revealed that the BDP is not pleased with the state of affairs at the council under Sibanda. For many years, the youth council has been accused of being pro-BDP and a breeding ground of leaders for the party. It is said the BDP has been pushing the council to be part of its National Youth Executive Committee (NYEC) but there has been resistance from Sibanda.
Before the general elections last October, the council went around the country promoting local procurement and encouraging youth that they would get 30 percent of government tenders in what was seen as a campaign gimmick by the BDP. The BNYC also did empowerment scheme promotions in Lentsweletau where Vincent Seretse, who had headed the council’s parent ministry was campaigning to be the MP. “These schemes are not there. We wanted to hoodwink the youth to vote the ruling party,” said a BNYC source.
He said there is power struggle over the control of the BNYC and the current Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture, Thapelo Olopeng is not impressed that the council wants to be independent from the BDP. It is claimed that since Olopeng was appointed minister, he has not met with the BNYC executive committee to discuss the youth agenda. “The past minister, Vincent Seretse met with the executive committee unlike Olopeng who is always claiming to be busy when the BNYC executive committee sought appointments with him. But Olopeng was not busy when the BDP NYEC chairperson, Andy Boatile met with him recently to discuss the controversial Graduate Volunteer Scheme. Clearly, the minister is applying double standards and playing politics.”
Attempts to reach Olopeng to react to the allegations proved futile at the time of going to press. It is said that the action taken against Sibanda was selective because other people who should have been suspended with him were spared. “Everybody who is involved in the transactions should be suspended. The cheques are signed by two signatories, the chairperson and the treasurer but one signatory has been suspended.” The source said it was not clear why the chairperson was suspended without a hearing as per the BNYC regulations. Since Sibanda will be out in the cold for 60 days, it is believed some people at BNYC are working round the clock to fix him.
News of alleged corruption and maladministration at BNYC have been dominating the headlines lately. The matter was even discussed in Parliament after Francistown West MP, Ignatius Moswaane moved a motion for the government to investigate the BNYC. Moswaane’s motion was adopted.