Boko’s exit leaves workers stranded at Mahalapye East
Tsaone Basimanebotlhe | Monday March 18, 2024 06:00
Without a sitting MP, their employment contracts are no longer valid. The employees are now faced with an uncertain future and lack of job security.
With only six months left before the next general polls, it is unlikely that there will be a by-election in the constituency. This means that the workers at the constituency office may have to find alternative employment. Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly Pono Moatlhodi told Mmegi that this is a painful situation to the workers because their contracts have come to an end.
“The moment the MP resigns or dies, it automatically affects employees of that constituency as they lose their jobs. Normally, some do have hope that if a by-election is held, an MP who comes into the office may re-employ them which is not always the case,” he said in an interview yesterday.
Moatlhodi also said residents of Mahalapye East also rely on their area councillors for any information that may affect them or programmes that they could benefit from since they do not have an MP. Furthermore, the Deputy Speaker revealed that it is unfortunate as Mahalapye East residents would also miss out on Parliamentary services as they cease immediately after the resignation of a sitting MP. With that, Moatlhodi said residents of the constituency might be assisted by Mahalapye West constituency office if the MP for another constituency has that love to help but he is not obliged to do so. “Some MPs may do that out of love because some issues could be explained better by an MP. As much as employees of the office get affected, residents also suffer the same fate Parliamentary services are more critical this time around especially during election year,” he said.
Moatlhodi said he does not think there will be a by-election for Mahalapye East constituency. Last week, Boko told Mmegi that for the past two years, he has been unhappy with the on-goings in the constituency which even affected his emotional health. “I will remain an ordinary Motswana,” he had said. “Currently, I am no longer an MP for Mahalapye East and would not be active in politics. This is because I want to take care of my emotional health. I am a family man, which needs me and young also. I gave all to the party and my constituency. Therefore, I do this for my happiness,” he said in an interview.
He said all through his political life, he went through betrayals, back stabbing and a lot of things by people whom he was close to in the constituency and party. The former MP said it is better for one to go to a place where he cannot be wounded unlike being unhappy. “Setlhako se babalela morwadi wa sone eseng ope gape,” he said.