Another employee sues BTV
Tsaone Basimanebotlhe | Friday September 5, 2014 15:10
Ntopolelang has filed his case with the Industrial Court in Gaborone challenging his transfer to the Ministry of Minerals Energy and Water Resources (MMEWR) as a principal public relations officer.
He believes that his transfer was politically motivated. Ntopolelang’s view is that his transfer was un-procedural, done in haste and calculated to deny him promotion.
“After Sakaeyo Jane left I was the next most senior officer to become head of news. I had legitimate expectation. But then someone who had been away from Btv for nearly five years was rehired and it appears that is the person they are planning to give the post to,” said Ntopolelang said.
Former head of news Sakaeyo Jane took the national broadcaster to court under similar circumstances two years ago. He won the matter in court and Btv was forced to reinstate him. He eventually resigned from the station.
Recently Btv lost another transfer case where reporter Thato Nthite had queried her transfer, which she said had been effected maliciously after she a 16 others complained about one of the workers close to Mogomotsi Kaboyamodimo.
Ntopolelang’s problem, he says, appears to emanate from assumption by Information Broadcasting management, specifically deputy permanent secretary Kaboyamodimo that he is pro-opposition. Ntopolelang has been transferred with two other senior officers from the station.
Although the new permanent secretary at the Ministry of Presidential Affairs and Public Administration Kebonye Moepeng signed Ntopolelang’s letter of transfer, he believes she could not possibly be the instigator of the transfer as she had only just been appointed.
“She came on the 4th and wrote the letter on the 15th, but we had long known that we would be transferred,” he said. Ntopolelang said his decision to drag his former employer to court was out of principle,” said Ntopolelang.
“While I am unhappy that I am being transferred to a job I have not been trained for, I could let that go, but I am standing on principle. Other employees had long told us about our transfers before the management could, which suggests the issue had been discussed before we were even informed,” Ntopelelang said.
Kaboyamodimo insisted that the suggestion that he instigated the transfer because he believes Ntopolelang is pro-opposition was misplaced.
“It is not true at all. It is an old game spread for mischief making. There is nothing of the sort,” he said.
Mboki Chilisa represents Ntopolelang.