The Voice (Botswana)

SOUR TASTE FROM ‘BLACK COFFEE’ SHOW

Organisers set for court battle

- BY DANIEL CHIDA

THE bitter fallout from last month’s sweet show headlined by South African powerhouse, Black Coffee, in Tlokweng looks set for court amid accusation­s of theft and fraud among the organisers.

In exclusive interviews with Voice Entertainm­ent, South African duo, Heinsite Constructi­on and Terris Production, confirmed they were considerin­g taking the legal route against their local partner, Sports Inc (Pty) Ltd.

Shedding some light on the behind-thescenes set-up, Heinsite representa­tive, Kitso Motshome, revealed that after getting the rights to host the music fest, they engaged Sports Inc to run the show on their behalf.

According to Motshome, the Botswanaba­sed business was to source further funding and partnershi­ps with local companies.

“They managed to do that but what is shocking is that the funds were channelled to a bank account, which we have no knowledge of. I take that as theft and fraud. We have a bank account that all the proceeds from the event were to go to,” complained Motshome.

He insists his remarks are not about tarnishing Sports Inc’s reputation but rather distancing himself from all the controvers­y that has overshadow­ed what was a good show.

His comments come after reports that some of the acts that performed at the Kulture Festival in front of a packed Royal Aria Stadium on 12th November were yet to be paid.

“We do not owe anyone, as far as we know, it is us who are owed and we want them to account for funds that were deposited in those accounts known only by them,” Motshome said, adding he would not be put off by whispers doing the rounds that some people were going to ‘fabricate stories’ to silence him.

“I am strong and will take them head on if they dare take that route,” he warned.

Sharing a similar tale of woe, Bhekizizwe Mkhwanazi of Terris Production said they were working on suing Sports Inc.

“The Black Coffee show was our concept here in South Africa and Motshome liked the idea and asked us to help him secure Black Coffee to perform in Botswana. I am aware of the sponsors, whose funds were taken, and it is not something we will let go,” promised Mkhwanazi.

Meanwhile, Tsamao Salepito of Sports Inc refused to speak on the issue.

“I don’t want to comment on this matter,” he told Voice Entertainm­ent before hanging up.

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