Gaborone’s popular night spot in Phase 4, Leobah’s Pub, is allegedly under threat of closure, despite renewing its operational license. Information gathered by this publication is that the pub’s management recently had to go through a process to renew its bar permit.
According to sources close to Leobah management, the management allegedly had to deal with threats from Marulamantsi Ward Councilor, Sergeant Kgosietsile also known as Yellowman, who is alleged to have threatened that the permit would not be renewed after management could not assist him with some of his personal requests. Leobah’s Pub has since successfully renewed its bar permit after engagements with relevant officials, who are said to have been cooperative. Sources further allege that after the renewal, Councilor Kgosietsile called management claiming he had put in a good word for them, and allegedly continued to request for favours in return.
Management is said to be concerned that the councilor is going around Phase 4 mobilising residents to petition against the bar. Reached for comment, Councilor Sergeant Kgosietsile denied the allegations, saying there is no intention to close the pub. “I think it’s wrong. We have never said we want to close them down. I have renewed their permit. We come from far working together with Leobah’s Pub in community projects,” he said.
“We have issued a permit for Leobah’s Pub, and we made a follow-up regarding complaints from the community regarding noise and parking spaces as some residents felt disturbed by cars parking in front of their homes. We sat down with Leobah’s Pub owner and manager to address all issues raised by the community. We gave guidance to all issues that were brought before the committee by the residents. He was not called by me as the area councilor but by the committee that I happen to be part of.
There is no fight with Leobah. There is nothing happening.” Kgosietsile further highlighted their working relationship, “Leobah assisted us last time when we had a problem with potholes in the community by Phase 4. He assisted together with my team and his team. He assisted us a lot. We can’t close someone who has hired a lot of people just like that. My role as a councilor is to protect you and protect the community so that we work together. There is no intention to close Leobah.”
