Motshwarakgole challenges �silent� UDC on corruption
Onalenna Kelebeile | Friday July 25, 2014 12:59
Giving a solidarity message during the UDC combined conference in Serowe over the President’s holiday, Motshwarakgole, who is the secretary for labour affairs at the Botswana Federation of Public Sector Unions (BOFEPUSU) said, “le didimetse (you are quiet) but we want to hear your voice on this. We want mass actions that condemn this situation. If you keep quiet this nation will perish and Batswana will hold you accountable. Le tla arabela molato wa tidimalo eo (You’ll be answerable),” he said.
He said forces must unite in a mass demonstration to challenge President Ian Khama that if he is not involved in corruption that is bleeding the country’s economy then he must say so.
He warned that if there is no action to challenge the situation, then UDC must be aware that it will take power when the economy has been thrown in disarray.
He said the battle between the trade union and government is the easy one and that come October, everyone will be judged according to his deeds. “We are going to employ leaders and terminate employment of those who are evil, tsamayang leye go re thusa ka tlhopho,” he said.
Motshwarakgole, who is also national organising secretary for the National Amalgamated Local, Central Government, Parastatal Workers Union (NALCGPWU) added that they do not believe that it is too late for UDC and Botswana Congress Party (BCP) to go back to the negotiating table for unity of opposition parties.
‘Go and ask BCP what their position is because it is not too late. BOFEPUSU e gaufi le go tsaya tsela e Batswana ba e batlang (BEFEPUSU is about to take action favourable to Batswana),” he added.
He said in trade unionism they respect structures that are in place hence they cannot impose themselves on political campaigns.
“Invite us as a movement wherever you feel we can contribute as we cannot just impose ourselves on you,” he noted.
He further said NALCGPWU has published a green book and manifesto, which shows that the UDC is passing the litmus test. He further stated that it is their belief that the opposition should be united for the 2014 general elections to relieve Batswana from oppression.
NALCGPWU chairman Simon Kgaoganang said they strongly believe in unity because peace prevails where there is unity. He said though they have fought for unity of workers, they felt it was not enough, hence they combined them into a federation with a purpose of advising government.
“It is not embarrassing for us to be attending UDC conference to see if you are still holding on. Fa ele gore le santse le tshwere moono, then moono ke one oo (If you are still holding on to the cause, then please always carry on) “ he said. He, however, said this cause is derailed when the working class is sidelined. “Include workers because they also co-own this cause. Our friend is the one who listens to us. We are not affiliated to any political party, but we part ways with whoever does not listen to us,” he added.
He said this is a year of change and that this is what workers want and they are hopeful that change will prevail this year.
In response over a call for more negotiations with BCP during a press conference, UDC Secretary General Gomolemo Motswaledi said they are still trying to reach out to the BCP and that they will celebrate if BCP eventually reconsiders its position.
“It was a good motivation from the labour movement,” he said. He said they are going to meet with the labour movement and forge the way forward because their white paper on 2014 elections resonates with the UDC’s position.
He said the UDC’s message is for Batswana hence they will continue to share the same sentiments.
BPP veteran and UDC vice president, Motlatsi Molapisi concurred that there is still room for BCP to join the umbrella to unseat the ruling party. He said: The negotiations ended with BCP saying it was still going to consult and we are still waiting. We wish somebody could put pressure on BCP. Everything has been done and we still want them back,” he said.