On or around the 26th July 2014 the BCP approached Notwane Football Club through a certain Phiri with the view to have the Notwane Grounds leased to us for purposes of staging a mega rally on the 18th October 2014. Notwane confirmed to the Organiaing Committee that the grounds were available and we duly paid almost immediately by way of a cheque. This cheque was not receipted as it had not been deposited and cleared. When we followed up on the cheque unfortunately Mr. Phiri of Notwane had not deposited the cheque. This we did so we could be issued with a receipt. We then paid by way of cash and asked Mr Phiri to return the cheque we had issued previously. This was duly done and a receipt issued for the cash payment. Whilst preparing for the event on or around the 6th October 2014 and with the full knowledge and evidence that we have secured Notwane Grounds we received information that BDP had secured the National Stadium to stage a rally on the same day with us. This meant that there would be two rallies on the same day. Worried about the possibility of the clash and the political tension that may arise we approached Botswana National Sports Council to verify these allegations. These the Sports Council denied. We learnt however, that we couldnt have the grounds given that there was a church crusade at the National Stadium around the same weekend as our rally for three days or so. To this extent, we were advised, the grounds are used as parking space for those attending the crusade. BNSC further advised that in any event, Notwane could not lease the grounds to us without their consent which was never sought nor given. Moreover, the lease agreement the BNSC had with Notwane had long expired, Sports Council said. They were less concerned even when we produced the receipt for the payment of the venue. They were clear that Notwane Grounds cannot be available. We went back to Notwane. Between the time we left Sports Council to Mr Phiri, it would appear Sports Council had already called Mr Phiri to admonish him. We waited for Mr Phiri at his office only for him to tell us upon his return that he is from the party office to refund back our money. He could not explain himself on the returning of the money save that he feared for what might happen. He denied though, the version given by BNSC. The refund was Mr Phiris own doing and without our knowledge. Feeling defeated and helpless we looked for an alternative venue. Notwane Grounds had always remained the ideal place for its strategic location and visibility. It seemed prudent then, and given what BNSC had said and the fact that Phiri returned the money, even when in his view there was no need to, to look and secure an alternative venue immediately as we were now running out of time. We have now learnt, with great shock and dismay, that Notwane Grounds are available to the BDP for purposes of hosting a music festival on the 18th October 2014. They are even advertising this music festival. To the extent that this festival is being advertised, it appears reasonably probable to us that Fish Pabalinga & CO through the BDP have either connived with or coerced either or both BNSC and Notwane in hoodwinking us into believing that Notwane Grounds are not available when they knew the contrary is true. It is also equally probable that the BDP is intimidating anyone and everyone into giving to their demands as part of an elaborate political strategy of political intolerance and creating unnecessary political tension. They are doing all they can to dilute our rally and render it insignificant - hence staging a festival on the same day. Doing this will ensure that they can pay for space on all mediums to advertise the Festival. The muscles they clearly know we do not have. THESE people are in pole position but they are kicking and screaming. We just wonder why? Our position is that we will formally register a complaint to BNSC and are also in the process of obtaining legal advise on the matter with the view to advise ourselves of the appropriate cause of action against either or both BNSC or Notwane. It is clear the BDP, more than ever before in the history of our elections, is being a big bully and possibly collaborating with our public institutions in the form of BNSC and social organizations that are apolitical in the form of Notwane to muscle their political dominance and close all avenues of meaningful competition. The BDP is also being intentionally and unnecessarily PROVOCATIVE to make us believe that they can use clandestine means to have access to resources that were otherwise firstly secured by the opposition are a phone call away from them and still have no moral shame. This is a clear strategy to derail us. The BCP has worked extremely hard and we really do not want to be rendered bafoons by the BDP, just because they CAN.
Posted on: Sat, 11 Oct 2014 10:22:23 +0000
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