UDC support divides BOFEPUSU
Oarabile Mosikare | Friday May 2, 2014 16:30
Speaking at the launch of the UDC parliamentary candidate for Gabane/Mankgodi, BOFEPUSU secretary for education, Samuel Molaodi said the electoral cooperation of the three parties is what Batswana have been yearning for. The UDC is comprised of the Botswana National Front (BNF), Botswana Movement for Democracy (BMD) and Botswana Peoples Party (BPP).
Molaodi told a well-attended rally in Gabane that other parties that seek votes outside the umbrella would not have the support of BOFEPUSU, thus endorsing the UDC for the general elections.
Molaodi’s statement caused discomfort in political circles with opponents of the UDC wondering when BOFEPUSU changed its stance on the matter.
It has since emerged that Molaodi’s take was wrong. Yesterday, Rari told Mmegi that, “Never in the central executive committee of BOFEPUSU or in any structure has this issue of alignment with any political party been discussed. The nearest we discussed the issue was during our Palapye retreat last year. We agreed that in the meantime while we institute a study that will give us guidance we are going to be looking at each candidate who is pro-labour and encourage our members to vote those candidates across the political divide.”
He said he did not know the context of Molaodi’s statement since he did not attend the launch.
BOFEPUSU is made up of the Botswana Teachers Union (BTU), Botswana Sectors of Educators Trade Union (BOSETU), Botswana Public Employees Union (BOPEU), Botswana Landboards, Local Authorities and Health Workers Union (BLLAWHU) and the National Amalgamated, Central and Local Government and Parastatal Workers Union (NACLGPWU).
The issue of BOFEPUSU alliance with political parties has been a contentious one since their 2012 congress in Gaborone. During the congress BLLAHWU tabled a motion calling for an alliance with any pro-worker party and regime change. BLLAHWU’s motion was supported by BOSETU. Three other unions led by NACLGPWU bitterly opposed the motion. “There was disruption of the congress for 30 minutes and BLLAHWU was allowed to caucus. Later the motion was defeated by three reactionary unions,” said a member of the central executive committee in confidence.
He said Molaodi, who is a member of NACLGPWU, could not now claim to agitate for regime change when his union opposed the motion two years ago. He explained that the three ‘reactionary’ unions who opposed the BLLAHWU motion on the basis that the memberships of the five unions were supporters of different parties. This motion was likely to divide the federation, it was reasoned during the congress.
“BOFEPUSU cannot claim to endorse any political party without the resolution of the congress. Molaodi was speaking for himself not the membership of the five unions that make up BOFEPUSU,” said the member. Rari confirmed that indeed at the 2012 congress, the issue of regime change was discussed.
“I cannot dispute that the congress discussed regime change. After the discussion, there was a consensus that the motion should be taken back to the structures to discuss it. Since then we have not had another congress,” explained Rari. He also disclosed that the federation would call a special congress in July. The agenda is to review the policies, amendment of the constitution, discuss how BOFEPUSU can influence 2014 general elections.
Asked for a comment on Wednesday, Moalodi said he could not as he was driving.