- Ousted board members allegedly refuse to leave office
- This is despite court having upheld their removal from office
- Master of High Court issued interim board with letters of authority in December
- Judge concludes; former board’s attempt to block their removal aimed at clinging to power
The Okavango Kopano Mokoro Community Trust (OKMCT) board of trustees’ legal tussle is headed back for court today (Friday 21st) as the ousted members have reportedly refused to vacate office and pave way for the interim board.
This is despite Maun High Court Judge Bogalo Maripe having this week upheld the removal of the former board members from office by residents of the trust’s affiliated settlements of Xaxaba, Boro, Daunara, Quxao, and Xharaxao.
In an interview a member from the interim board Kegolotswe Mopalo revealed that the ousted board has since refused to vacate the office despite a court order. He said they are left without a choice but to take the matter back to court where the case has been set for today (Friday).
Mopalo said this is despite the interim board having been issued with letters of authority by the Master of High Court on the 20th December 2024.
In October 28th, the residents of the trust’s five affiliated settlements voted to remove the former board of trustees from office. The dismissal was driven by allegations of financial mismanagement, undisclosed conflicts of interest, and actions contrary to the trust’s objectives.
The decision was reached during a Special General Meeting in Daunara, following an earlier gathering where residents voiced dissatisfaction with the board’s governance. The initial meeting occurred after a court case, in which the board failed to prevent the meeting through an injunction.
In preparation for the meeting invitations were extended to the removed board, the District Commissioner, and members of the Technical Advisory Committee, however, none attended. This absence prompted residents to proceed independently with addressing their concerns
Following an election of the interim board, the ousted board headed by Galethuse Manga as the chairperson filled a court case against the interim board. In their application they filed for the elections of the interim board which was conducted at special general meeting in November 2024 to be considered null and void. They argued that the elections were not overseen by TAC as per the trust’s constitution.
But when delivering the judgment this week, Maripe stated that there is clear view and records of the Special General Meeting, the letter of authority issued and even notices and requests of the convocation of the meeting received by the applicants themselves.
“I therefore hold that the respondents have established that the applicants were ousted through a vote of no confidence at the Special General Meeting and the aftermath letters of authority were issued in their favor by the Master of High Court,” Maripe said.
He noted that in all circumstances the applicants were always aware of the Special General Meeting and that the main purpose of it, which was their removal as trustees.
“They did not attend, their hope or position being that their absence would collapse the meeting. This was actually an ill-advised as they do not dispute that they were aware that the Special General Meeting was held on the 28th October 2024,” Maripe said.
In his view, Maripe said there is no clear of self-created urgency of the matter hence dismissing the application concluding that previous’ board of trustees ‘attempt to block their removal was an afterthought aimed at clinging to power. “For one reason or another, the rival factions believe that the problems bedeviling the trust can be resolved by the court, and that the court is positioned to put out their fire, this is too ambitious. The problems of the trust are to be resolved by the members themselves,” Maripe concluded ordering for the applicants to bear legal costs of the case.
