BFA insider accuses Letshwiti of dirty dealings
As 8th August, the date for the highly anticipated Botswana Football Association (BFA) elections, edges ever closer, old skeletons are tumbling out of the Lekidi closet.
This week, a disgruntled BFA insider contacted Voice Sport with details of what he termed ‘corruption at the heart of Botswana football’.
The source leaked the Blue Books of two second-hand Botswana Premier League (BPL) cars, acquired by the association in 2018. The vehicles, both Toyota Corollas, were purchased from Car Rentals Botswana - a company belonging to BFA President, Maclean Letshwiti.
The Association splashed out P135, 000 on each car, which were both a year-old at the time of purchase.
The source insists proper procedure was not followed, claiming the purchase occurred without the correct tendering process. He explained that normal BFA practice when purchasing ‘costly assets’ is for the tendering committee to get at least three quotations from different suppliers.
“With this one was direct and single sourcing. This is wrong. One would wonder what influenced BPL’S decision but it is clear that they were supporting the President’s business. Why didn’t they buy new cars than to purchase expensive used cars?” demanded the loose-lipped source, who requested anonymity for fear of victimization should his identity get out.
When reached for a comment, Letshwiti maintained he was unaware his company had sold cars to BPL. He added that in any case he does not see anything wrong with the transaction as he did not authorize the payment nor was he involved during purchasing.
“Honestly I do not get involved at that level of agreements and I do not know how they were bought. I don’t even know why they decided to buy from Avis [Car Rentals]. Tell your sources to try something different to decampaign me. I am untouchable because I am not a thief. BPL can buy what they need for office anywhere they want as long as they follow the right procedure,” he said, dismissing the allegations as an attempt to sabotage his hopes of re-election at next month’s elections.
“They just want to tarnish my name but they will not succeed. Why were they not taking about it all this years? They are just being petty!” said Letshwiti.
Defending the matter, BFA Chief Executive Officer Mfolo Mfolo stressed direct and single sourcing is allowed in their purchasing. He said this can be influenced by circumstances like availability, condition and quality of the product and urgency. Mfolo said after the purchase, the committee is meant to write reasons supporting its decision – a process he could not confirm nor repute had been followed.
He also said all logistics of tendering is done by BPL board but the cars are assets of the association.