Learn to tell the truth — Mohwasa tells unions

Spira Tlhankane | Wednesday May 7, 2025 06:00

Instead of delivering the administration’s position on labour issues, he diverted to defending the government and blaming the previous regime for some of the problems which have since spilt over into their term.

In addition to inheriting an ailing economy from the previous regime, the current one, led by Duma Boko, is dealing with not only a dire situation of unemployment but also a dejected labour force.

“Let me remind unions that we come from the same place. Let us learn to speak the truth when we talk publicly about issues affecting workers,” Mohwasa warned.

He said unionists should refrain from painting the UDC government with issues from way back and combining old disputes with the ones which began after they took power.

The UDC took power from the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) last October and ended the latter’s 58-year rule.

Mohwasa highlighted that if unions learn to state issues as they are, then the trust between the government and the labour force will increase.

“As much as we are called honourable, we are still comrades and nothing has changed. The problem which I see is that we belittle ourselves and think that when people we work with take over the government, they no longer become one of us.

“No, that shouldn't be the case; they should still be our people,” he told workers in Gantsi recently.

As the government and doctors’ dispute over emergency call duties reaches the negotiation stage, Mohwasa also took time to address what he said wasn't the truth about the issue, which had reached the courts of law before a mutual agreement to settle it out of court.

Last week, there were unconfirmed reports that the government was mobilising doctors from security forces and the private sector to fill in for the striking doctors.

“There are rumours that there are Special Forces which will fill the gap left by doctors. No, that is news to me; whoever is spreading that information should stop lying because there is nothing like that,” he said.

“These untruths aren't good at all. They are even saying they escaped Tlebebe only to end up at Satan’s. Let’s unite and stop name-calling each other.”

Mohwasa said when they were still in the opposition, they fought alongside unions, but now that one is on the other side, they have become enemies.

He said they have been walking together with unions, but now the latter suspects them, which in the end weakens the relationship.

The minister added that going forward, he suggests that information about talks between unions and the government be shared with the public soon after, because some people spread untruths afterwards.

“It’s either people from our side or unions spreading misinformation,” he said.

The minister said it is in their DNA to fight for workers' rights; therefore, workers shouldn't be misled by people who ignore UDC’s history with the labour force.

He said unions know who to work with in both the long and short term and avoid going to a battle without reading the environment first.

Mohwasa added that the government accepts constructive criticism and that they encourage unions to give them advice.