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On Friday, July 19, 2024, the Botswana Football Association Electoral Committee (BFA EC) released the list of candidates for the Association’s National Executive Committee (NEC) positions, causing shock and anxiety.
To the shock of the football system, the FA’s executive committee eliminated almost all candidates for the top job, with the team led by the current FA chairman, Maclean Letshviti, losing the competition. If the status quo remains unchanged, the chairman and his team will be free to enter the FA NEC.
With former president Tebogo Sebego having withdrawn from the race, Letesheweti is expected to face off in a triple threat contest with current vice president Masego Nchingane and Sebego’s long-time ally Tariq Babitseng.
In addition, Maokaneng Bontshetse is expected to compete with former national team player Phadza Butale for the position of first vice-chairman. Young executive Tebogo Kamati will compete with current BFA NEC member and Sebego’s known ally Carlos Sebina.
However, Letsheweti, Bontshetse and Kamati were the last few male candidates when the list of candidates was announced on Friday. Their opponents have been screened. Along with them, Norman Sebele, Gomeone Letbele, Batusi Latari, Vincent Mafuta, Rabbi Josa and Moretsile Juta were approved as candidates for the ordinary member position. Susi Monso and Thabang Shadikon were also approved to compete for the additional female member position.
In a statement announcing the candidates, the BFA Electoral Commission said the vetting process was carried out through a “rigorous evaluation process”. The list published in the afternoon was confirmed by the chairman of the Electoral Commission, Moemedi Letina.
When asked to explain why some people were excluded, the BFA election committee chairman said he was not at liberty to reveal the reasons. He said the matter was still under review and he did not want to prejudice the interests of those who were excluded as they had the right to appeal the review decision.
The Chairperson said that if the reviewed candidates wish to appeal, they should do so within four working days from the date of publication of the candidates’ names.
While Letina was not authorized to discuss the reasons, opponents of the current regime believe that the scrutiny of members of the team that opposed Letshviti’s leadership has confirmed their long-held belief that the current BFA election committee cannot be trusted to hold credible elections.
A few weeks ago, when he announced his decision not to run in the election, Sebego made it clear that he had no confidence in the BFA Election Committee. He noted at the time that the BFA’s “new rules are designed to disenfranchise the rank-and-file members of the BFA.”
When asked to respond to Sebago’s comments at the time, Letina, in his capacity as chair of the BFA’s election committee, said they were “certainly trustworthy.” He went on to add that he knew not everyone was happy with the process.
As expected, Sebego was the first to speak out after the list was released. “I spoke about the credibility of the 2024 BFA elections. A democratic organization like football should never have unethical people at the helm,” he said.
Although Sebego, seen as Letcheviti’s main threat, has withdrawn, opponents of the current regime are confident of winning the election. One commentator said, “Babison looks likely to overthrow Letcheviti.”
“He (Babison) has done all the groundwork in the districts. Most people are behind him. Even in Sebego’s absence, he is still a big threat,” the source revealed.
Another tight contest is expected between Bontshet and Butale, a lawyer who has a sharp mind as the government’s chief negotiator and is considered a likely winner in the race for the first vice-presidential post. With just four working days until the election, it is unclear what the next steps will be for the vetted candidates.
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