The Botswana Federation of Public Sector Unions (BOFEPUSU) Gaborone regional chairperson, Wabakwa Mbise, said the government is left with two choices: either to dissolve the Cabinet or re-shuffle it.
“Our President, Seretse Khama Ian Khama is threatening to dissolve the cabinet and is also threatening even the Members of Parliament who are willing to resign because he (Khama) knows that he would be questioned about their resignation and so he wants to dissolve the cabinet before they resign,” said Mbise.
Speaking at a gathering at the Gaborone Secondary School grounds on Friday, Mbise said it would mean that in 30 days they would host elections if the cabinet is to be dissolved.
He strongly urged the workers on strike to not lose hope but to remain resolute in the struggle because the result is within reach.
“We met as Unions with the employer, DPSM, yesterday (Thursday) and were promised 5 percent on condition that the county’s economy is favourable in September. We refused the offer,” Mbise said.
He indicated that they had reduced their 16 percent demand to 13.8 percent and if the employer still continues to argue, they will go back to the 16 percent and never compromise.
Mbise said it would make no sense if they retreated after all the time and effort they have so far spent.
“So far, the public or the community as a whole is now connecting together to support us over the strike because they realize that without us workers there would be no services.”
Mbise said even students had now begun to join the strike.
At the same Thursday rally, Topias Marenga, BOPEU’s Gaborone Secretary for Occupational Health, said they had shown social responsibility as Unions by contributing food, paying for the hearse and the coffin at the funeral of a student who lost his life at Sojwe Senior School.
“As leaders we shall also attend the burial” said Marenga.
He encouraged the public not to give up.
It was also announced that there would be a special conference over the weekend for delegates to come up with ideas to strengthen the strike and come up with a road map for the strike.
