Member of Parliament for Tonota South, Pono Moatlhodi, has accused the Minister of Agriculture, Christian de Graaf of failing to put his house in order by being responsive to his employees’ welfare and grievances.
In a letter addressed to De Graff, Moatlhodi calls on the Minister to “address his staff’s concerns so that they can serve the public well”.
According to the letter, which was passed to The Telegraph, employees manning all the foot and mouth disease gates around Tonota village were complaining about the negligence by the Ministry that is affecting their day to day operations. The workers are in charge of one of the hardest hit Foot and Mouth Disease FMD agriculture zones.
“Honourable Minister, please note that this is not the first time that I have communicated with you about some problems pertaining to your staff and nothing was done,” states the letter by Moatlhodi.
A source close to the development said workers intend to petition Moatlhodi again so that he could pressure De Graff on their behalf because the issues that they wanted to be addressed are still pending.
The employees complained that they were not provided with lights.  They also say they have not been paid subsistence allowances since September 2012.
When contacted by The Telegraph on Monday, Private Secretary to the Minister, Moagi Sinombe, said as far as he knows almost all letters and queries from their customers, including legislators have been responded to.
He referred this publication to Moatlhodi, to confirm if the issue of their employees stationed at Tonota was addressed.
At the time of going to press, Moatlhodi could not be reached for comment as he was out of the country.
