Bosso official causes stir in Botswana

A Botswana-based travel agency has demanded a formal apology from Highlanders F.C. following allegations that one of the club's officials harassed hotel staff during the team's recent pre-season training camp in Botswana.

The complaint was raised by Gilport Enterprises, which facilitated Highlanders' 10-day stay at Travel Lodge Gaborone during the camp.

In a letter written on Tuesday, Gilport Enterprises general manager Mpho Gilika expressed "profound concern and disappointment" over an incident involving a Highlanders official who allegedly demanded access to the hotel's internal billing records.

The correspondence, addressed to Highlanders chief executive officer Denzil Mnkandla, claimed that the official presented himself as the club's financial officer and confronted staff at the hotel's front desk.

According to Gilika, the official insisted on being given access to Travel Lodge's internal billing documents despite the booking having been made through the agency.

"We have received a formal report from Travel Lodge stating that an individual claiming to be your financial officer demanded the release of all internal billing documents," Gilika wrote.

"When the front desk staff correctly refused as the booking is held under our agency's account, this official reportedly used threats of violence to intimidate the staff. This resulted in a distressed employee handing over confidential documents under duress."

Gilika said such behaviour was unacceptable and violated the agency's policies regarding the treatment of hospitality partners.

"Such behaviour is entirely unacceptable. We maintain a zero-tolerance policy toward the harassment of our service partners," he wrote.

He added that the company was reviewing the hotel's security footage and reserved the right to report the matter to local authorities if necessary.

Gilika also warned that the incident had strained relations between his company and hospitality partners in Botswana.

He said Gilport Enterprises had worked extensively to organise Highlanders' pre-season camp, securing preferential accommodation rates and managing the team's booking despite the club arriving four days later than scheduled.

However, he emphasised that the delay did not exempt the club from its contractual obligations.

"As the contracting party that secured these rates and paid the initial 40 percent deposit, all financial reconciliation must be conducted directly between your office and our agency," he said.

"We must reiterate that per our agreement and industry standards, the club remains liable for the full 10-day period originally booked. The four-day delay caused by your internal administrative issues does not exempt the club from its financial obligations to the hotel."

Gilport Enterprises has demanded an immediate written apology to the hotel staff and assurances that no further attempts will be made to interfere with the hotel's administrative processes.

The agency said it would issue the final invoice for the full 10-day stay, including service fees, by March 5, 2026.

Efforts to obtain a comment from Highlanders were unsuccessful yesterday.

Highlanders are set to begin their 2026 Zimbabwe Premier Soccer League campaign against rivals Bulawayo Chiefs F.C.