Gov’t dismisses Red Cross wrangling
Sixteen months later, the Botswana Red Cross Society is yet to elect a new president and two deputies. Despite these, Assistant Minister for Presidential Affairs, Governance and Public Administration, Dumezweni Mthimkhulu told Parliament this week that everything is running smoothly at the society.
Francistown South legislator, Wynter Mmolotsi had asked; how much subvention has been given to the Red Cross Society in the last five years; the intended purpose of the subvention; how the society accounts to government; and whether government knows if the money is used for the intended purpose.
“The total subvention given to the Botswana Red Cross Society in the past five years is P20, 919,291.95. The intended purpose of the subvention is to extend government support to the organisation in the form of financial assistance in order to cover its administrative costs as a response to disaster management, health emergencies as well as other social challenges in communities countrywide. The Red Cross accounts to Government through submission of both annual reports and financial audit reports. I can confirm that Government knows that the money is used for its intended purpose since Government is represented in the Board,” he said.
Mmolotsi would then ask the Minister when last did the Red Cross account for the money used, whether he was aware that there are fights causing election delay at the society and that there are allegations of misappropriation of funds. He further said there were some plots belonging to the Red Cross that were allegedly sold mysteriously.
He wanted the Minister to state what they would do to help the situation. He also asked the Minister if it was worth continuing assisting the Red Cross with money while government failed to provide oversight.
“The Red Cross accounted last year to the Government and the audited accounts are in order. The Red Cross promised us that, just like they comply with the government, they also comply to the International Confederation of Red Cross standards on finances. We also have our member who is a government employee who sits in the Finance Committee of the Red Cross and the other who sits in the Executive Committee of the Red Cross who could have notified us if there was anything wrong,” he said.
Mmolotsi slammed the Minister for stating he knew nothing about the fighting at the society.
“I am shocked you said you do not know about the fights at the Red Cross while they have even made it to courts. There has been arbitration and mediation because some do not want others to contest. I am wondering why you would not know this while you are the Minister responsible for them. What does it say about you? Who are we to ask?”
Mthimkhulu said they just monitor the society through its audit reports and are satisfied. About fights and court cases, the junior minister said it is normal during elections anywhere and does not amount to maladministration. He even went on to say is just bitter people who lost. In January 2021, Maipelo Mophuting and Nelson Rammala were granted an order to interdict the society’s election for the three positions on the Annual General Assembly (AGA) agenda until the matter was finalised.
The society, through Kutlwano Mukokomani, had disqualified the duo questioning their membership standing. They were ordered to apply for a review or other relief no later than seven court days from the date of the order. The two parties would, however, fail to resolve the matter amicably.
On May 17, the society’s secretary-general Mukokomani wrote a letter inviting members to the AGA slated for June 18, 2021. Through the invitation, Mukokomani stated that nominees for president and deputy presidents remain as they were shared before.
This meant Mophuting and Rammala would yet again not be allowed to contest elections. The duo then through Craig Law Consultants approached the court on urgency calling on the court to interdict while Mukokomani and the society who are respondents in the matter opposed the applications through Akoonyatse Attorneys arguing that the duo was not qualified to stand for elections.
The duo managed to stop the elections from going ahead. Justice Chris Gabanagae directed the respondents to nominate and communicate their choice of the arbitrator in seven days and the elections stay until the final determination of the arbitration. The arbitrators concluded that Mophuting is not qualified to run for the position of president because she did not meet the two-year membership required as in the society’s constitution.
Regarding Rammala, it was stated that he is not qualified to run for elections as vice president of the society on the grounds of not being a member, as he failed to produce proof of membership.
The duo would then approach the High Court again seeking an interdict of the elections while awaiting a review application. Lobatse High Court’s Justice, Ookeditse Maphakwane stopped the elections set for July 31, 2021 pending final determination of the review application lodged against the arbitration award. To date, the matter is yet to be resolved.