Botswana Democratic Party Secretary General Botsalo Ntuane says allegations that Vice President Mokgweetsi Masisi who is also chairman of the BDP is involved in scheming against destruction of trade unions are unsubstantiated.
Last week Botswana Federation of Public Sector Union (BOFEPUSU) challenged BDP to come out and make clarification on the alleged involvement of the Party Chairman, Masisi as well as the Permanent Secretary to the President in a bid to destroy trade unions.
This came about after Director of Public Service Management transferred with immediate effect BOFEPUSU president Johannes Tshukudu and his treasurer general to Ministry of Transport as Chief Administration Officer and Ministry of Youth Sports and Culture respectively.
BOFEPUSU said the motive behind the transfer is just clear testimony of harassment of Union leaders and to have them resign their positions within the Federation.
“This is clear Government interference on Trade Union affairs, clear violation of Trade Unions & Employers Organizations Act and curtailment of trade union rights. These two matters are before Court on urgent application to interdict these prejudicial and unlawful transfers which we believe are done with ill motive,” said BOFEPUSU in their letter addressed to BDP Secretary General, Ntuane.
Ntuane acknowledged receiving a letter from BOFEPUSU signed by BOFEPUSU Deputy Secretary General Ketlhalefile Motshegwa.
“We are in receipt of the letter. As far as we know it is just an unsubstantiated allegation that Vice President is involved in the transfers in question or any for that matter. All civil servants are subject to transfer and no post is ring-fenced against transfer. The only ring-fence against transfer is for one to be self employed,” said BDP Secretary General.
Ntuane is yet to respond to the letter from BOFEPUSU. On the other hand BOFEPUSU filed an urgent application seeking an interim interdict staying a decision of the Director of Public Service Management to transfer BOFEPUSU President and his treasurer General.
In his founding affidavit Tshukudu challenged DPSM to provide some rational justification for the transfers, he said he will in due course produce credible evidence to demonstrate that the DPSM has used its powers under the Public Service Act to try and ensure that the anti-BOFEPUSU faction prevails at the upcoming BTU Elective Congress.
The ruling on the matter is expected this week.
