Minister of Presidential Affairs and Public Administration, Lesego Motsumi, has refused to accept the outcome of a report by the Vice President, which classifies her as among the worst performers in cabinet.
In his appraisal report, Mompati Merafhe ranked Motsumi the second last, a notch ahead of Pelonomi Venson Moitoi who came last.
“I am doing my job, it’s the view of that person,” she said when asked about the appraisal and performance report.
She questioned the motives of those who leaked the report.
“I have not heard anybody talking about the fact that I was in charge of two ministries,” she argued.
She said that she was surprised to learn that her performance did not tally with the complements she got from President Ian Khama for performing well.
“It’s somebody’s views,” stressed Motsumi.
Motsumi also denied that she is on her way out of politics and would take up a diplomatic post.
She said that she was far from quitting politics as she intends to run for the ruling Botswana Democratic Party (BDP)’s primary elections in 2013.
“I have the intention of running for my party’s primaries in 2013, but it’s still too early to say and it will depend on a number of factors,” she said.
Motsumi has even found support from the unlikeliest quarters.
Trade unionist, Andrew Motsamai, Secretary General of the Botswana Federation of Public Sector Union (BOFEPUSU), has praised Motsumi as a star performer who has delivered on almost all the promises she had made to the Union.
“She has been very helpful since assuming her current ministerial position at the Office of the President,” Motsamai said, adding that the Union movement was thankful to Motsumi for the implementation of the Public Service Act.
“She was pivotal in managing the impasse that nearly brought the Public Service to a standstill following the dispute between the unions and the employer on the payment of arrears of the 22 days agreed with the Employer,” Motsamai said on Friday. “The Honourable Minister made three promises to the workers, which she has since fulfilled. And for the best part, we in the trade union movement appreciate her commitment and support in facilitating the establishment of the Public Service Bargaining Council.”
He said that for now Motsumi remains the unions’ best friend.
