Botswana Public Employees Union has threatened to apply for a court order to restrain outgoing Director of Broadcasting Services, Mogomotsi Kaboeamodimo, from “holding intimidating meetings” with individual staff members who have lodged complaints of maladministration against him.
The union president, Andrew Motsamai, this week hand delivered a letter to Kaboeamodimo warning him to stop discussing with individual staff members an issue which is before the Commissioner of Labour.
Last year, Btv members complained against Kaboeamodimo and Gloria Kgosi, alleging favouritism, maladministration and unprofessional conduct, among others.
The fight between Kaboeamodimo and his subordinates escalated after two staff members, Vusa Ziga and Sakaeyo Jannie, who are linked to the complaint against Kaboeamodimo, dragged their employer to court following their redeployment. The Industrial Court has reinstated the duo pending the final outcome of their case.
As Ziga and Jannie prepare to report for duty tomorrow, the Union has indicated that it will rush to court should Kaboeamodimo continue to intimidate its members.
“ We understand that you have been calling them individually, to discuss matters that the Union has taken up on their behalf for mediation with the Commissioner of Labour. What you are doing is not only unlawful but a clear sign that you are flagrantly abusing their conscience and instilling fear in their minds. You are for all intent and purposes acting in bad faith,” states Motsamai in a hand delivered letter that is dated the 7th of January 2011.
“Be advised that any meetings to discuss matters that are before mediation can only be held in the presence of the Union representative otherwise you should reserve any such discussions for the mediation hearing scheduled for January 14th 2011,” the letter reads in part.
“Should we not hear from you by the close of business Monday 10th January 2011 and should we continue to hear from our members that you continue to hold intimidating meetings behind our backs, we shall move with speed and instruct our Attorneys to seek a restraining order from the courts,” states Motsamai.
At the time of going to press neither Kaboeamodimo nor government spokesperson Jeff Ramsay was available for comment.
