BFA boss reported to the police

Justice Monyere of the CPS told Mmegi Sport yesterday that they have received a report about the intimidation.

'There is a case of intimidation and although we have already brought the two gentlemen here, we are still waiting for confirmation from cellular phone providers,' he said. By the time of going to press, the police were still waiting for a court order to get information from the cellular phone providers, Orange and Mascom.

Monyere said upon completion of investigations, accused persons in such cases can pay admission of guilt fine or appear before the Customary Court if found guilty. He said intimidation cases do not have the same consequences like those of threat to kill.

Rakgare told Mmegi Sport that he got an intimidating call from Makgalemele. He said the BFA boss told him that he heard that he (Rakgare) was saying bad things about him on radio.

'All I mentioned was that when the Young Zebras were in China last year for the Eight Nations Cup, they won $50,000 but only $40,000 was accounted for yet there were no receipts to show where the $10,000 went to.

'Before my show, I invited Makgalemele to the show but he refused because he had suspicions that I might raise the issue,' Rakgare said. He asserted that Makgalemele told him he is not a thief and he (Rakgare) should stop saying bad things about him.

The Yarona FM sports reporter pointed out that Makgalemele threatened that if he does not stop saying 'nonsense' about him, something would happen to him (Rakgare).

'After sleeping over it on Monday night, I decided to report the matter to the police because my security is not safe. I believe that by going to the police, something would be done to guarantee my security,' Rakgare said. The award-winning sports journalist said that he stands by his story and he will make a follow-up before the end of the week. He said he is not going to let anyone intimidate him when he is doing his job.

When contacted, Makgalemele said the matter is being handled by the police. He hinted that he has never threatened anyone though he registered his displeasure about what Rakgare said on his show.

'The only thing I said to Chilliboy is that I was not happy about the utterances he made on his show, which I believe were defamatory. I told him that I am going to take legal action against him, which I did through my lawyers Collins and Newman,' said the BFA president.  Makgalemele will seek re-election at the BFA Congress to be held in Gaborone on Saturday. He will fight it out with the man he ousted, David Fani. Information reaching Mmegi Sport indicate that Makgalemele has a good chance of retaining his post though he is increasingly coming under pressure as the big day approaches.

This is despite the fact that he has been praised for turning the fortunes of Botswana football around by South African Football Association (SAFA) president Molefhi Oliphant last week. The BFA president will also contest the ruling party primaries in the Shoshong constituency against the incumbent MP, Duke Lefhoko.