Union demands Boko’s intervention in the BR GM saga
Tsaone Basimanebotlhe | Monday August 25, 2025 10:37
Molefe, in a letter addressed to President Duma Boko, said Masena is best placed to “restore stability at BR” and should be given full authority to appoint directors who can bring back effective management. Masena remains under suspension. Molefe further insists that the ongoing forensic audit must not only continue but also be broadened to safeguard the integrity of employees’ contributions and maintain their trust. They demand that the final report be made public.
In addition, Molefe raised alarm over funds from the sale of the remaining 17% shares in the Rail Park Mall, stressing that national assets must be shielded from mismanagement. To prevent further financial losses, he called for the immediate restriction of spending powers currently held by the General Manager and her management team. This, he said, would ensure resources are directed toward complying with a pension fund court order rather than being wasted.
Ironically, even the acting general manager, Chelisele Malele, is also on suspension, thus deepening the leadership vacuum at Botswana Railways. To compound the matter, the board, which had been appointed three months back, has also been dissolved by the Minister.
“The acting general manager must be prohibited from making senior appointments, such as the internal auditor, reserving such decisions for a substantive general manager to restore proper governance. Exercise your authority to expedite interventions at Botswana Railways, ensuring that your vision for transparency and accountability is realised without delay,” Molefe said.
He said they must address the current challenges with urgency to ensure the stability and success of the organisation moving forward.
The union further said the union's retired employees have gone over 12 months without receiving their pensions due to these updated premiums, causing severe hardship and poverty.
Meanwhile, the union said that since August 2024, they have engaged tirelessly with the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure to raise alarm over Botswana Railways governance issues, including the suspension of Masena, the General Manager of BR, and the subsequent appointment of Malele as acting General Manager.
“The suspension followed a forensic audit aimed at uncovering significant corruption within the organization, particularly implicating some previous members from 2021 to 2023. We believe this suspension and the obstruction of the audit are deliberate attempts to shield corrupt practices,” the union revealed.
The union said they are deeply concerned that the current leadership vacuum and ongoing mismanagement require immediate action to prevent further damage before the audit can yield results. However, the Minister of Transport and Infrastructure, Noah Salakae, said he is not going to interfere in the running of BR as it is a parastatal and very independent.