BMWU fights intensify
Tsaone Basimanebotlhe | Tuesday October 27, 2015 15:13
The outgoing committee, which is led by the general secretary, Bob Malele, refused to hand over financial books, cheque books, vehicles and computers to the newly elected committee led by Jack Tlhagale.
The new committee, which has Tlhagale as the only member from the outgoing committee, was elected recently at the BMWU congress that was held in Tlokweng. The new and outgoing committees met in Selebi-Phikwe on Saturday at the union office where the handover was supposed to take place.
Yesterday Malele confirmed in an interview that they have refused to hand over to the new committee.
“They have to register first as the new committee and that’s when we will hand over the union materials. They need to get a certificate from Registrar. We don’t have a problem with handing over as long as they are legally registered. Why should we hand over people’s funds when the committee is not yet recognised legally,” Malele said.
He said the new committee had refused to unlock the union offices for them and they decided to change the locks of the office without notifying them.
In addition Malele said the outgoing committee had suspended Tlhagale from the presidency but he has refused to accept the suspension letter.
“We are waiting for our response from the Commissioner of Labour because we have reported this new committee,” he said.
In response Tlhagale said, “It is true the outgoing committee has refused to hand over to the new committee. They do not have valid reasons according to the constitution but there is a loophole in the Trade Unions Act. But we have since gotten the certificate of registration of the new committee from the Registrar this morning.”
He said the outgoing committee will eventually be forced to hand over office materials.
Tlhagale said they wouldn’t open offices to the outgoing committee when there is a newly elected secretary and treasurer.
“I told them that the suspension letter is invalid because they are the outgoing committee and therefore they do not have powers to suspend me. It’s an act of desperation. We don’t expect that from leaders,” Tlhagale said.