Persecution of unionists continues as Tshukudu interdicts DPSM

Oarabile Mosikare | Friday April 15, 2016 14:08

Tshukudu, who is also the Botswana Teachers’ Union (BTU) president, was on April 8, 2016 transferred from his position as a senior lecturer at Tlokweng College of Education to the MTC as chief administration officer (I). In his founding affidavit filed at the Industrial Court on Wednesday afternoon, Tshukudu said: “On the morning of 5 April 2016 I was informed to report to the office of the Director of Public Service Management.

“On 6 April 2016 at 1400hours I attended to the meeting that I was summoned for. Attending the meeting were the DPSM director, the Deputy DPSM Mr Mookodi and the Acting Permanent Secretary for Education, Ms Mohutsiwa. I was not previously told what I was required to come and discuss with the DPSM. But as an obedient servant of the government I duly complied with the said instruction to attend the meeting. The DPSM informed me at the meeting that I would receive a letter on 8 April 2016 transferring me to the Ministry of Transport and Communications to work as chief administration officer I.” He said the DPSM director, Ruth Maphorisa, was unable to state what gave rise to giving consideration to this transfer. “All the DPSM was able to state was that I had administrative skills because I have previously worked with students, and I am the president of BOFEPUSO and BTU. I indicated to the DPSM that I will await the letter and respond once I have received the letter.” He received the letter on April 8.

“The transfer followed a decision by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education, Mr Richard Matlhare, recalling me from my unpaid leave of absence which I had taken to carry out union duties. This expired on 31 March 2016. Through the letter dated 29 February 2016 I was required to report to work on 1 April 2016. The Permanent Secretary was not amenable to granting an extension and gave the impression that my services were urgently required at my workstation at Tlokweng College of Education.” His colleague who is BOFEPUSU and BTU treasurer Moses Monnaatsie also received a letter of transfer to Ministry of Youth, Sport and Culture unrelated to the Ministry of Education where he was stationed as a school teacher. “I have received reliable information from an impeccable source that the decision to transfer me and my colleague is part of a strategy to weaken BOFEPUSU and to prevent persons who want BTU to continue being affiliated to BOFEPUSU from contesting leadership positions at the upcoming BTU elective congress. It is intended to pave way for persons within BTU who want BTU to disaffiliate from BOFEPUSU. I cannot contest for the position of president, which I intended to unless I am employed in a teaching institution. This is because only full time members are entitled to contest for positions in the National Executive Committee.”

Tshukudu said the decision taken was dictated by persons with a nefarious interest in the outcome of the upcoming BTU elective congress. He challenged Maphorisa to provide some rational justification for the transfer.  Motivating why the Industrial Court should treat his matter urgently he said his candidature for the BTU presidency will be frustrated if he is unlawfully transferred.  “BTU will be left without any political leadership if the DPSM’s decision is implemented. I do not have the requisite qualifications and experience to undertake such a specialised task as the chief administration officer as I have been a teacher all my life. Should this matter not be heard on an urgent basis and the transfer allowed to stand, it will be sanctioning setting me up for failure and a possible loss of job for failing to perform.”

He continued: “As the sitting president I am required to account for the manner that the BTU has been run for the last three years, and take responsibility for the state of its finances. This I will not be able to do if the decision of the DPSM is implemented. My reputation will be greatly tarnished if the state of the union is misrepresented as a result of my absence from the elective congress.”

Tshukudu said the balance of convenience is heavily tilted in his favour because the ministry already has several chief administration officers who are tasked with public administration duties. It will therefore not be difficult for the DPSM to find an officer who is more suited to take over the responsibilities to which he is sought to be transferred to and which he is ill suited for. “The vacancy which I am required to fill-up has only recently been created with the sole intention of preventing me from contesting for the presidency of the Botswana Teachers’ Union at its upcoming elective Congress slated for July 2016.” The case is scheduled for this morning before Justice Harold Ruhukya of the Industrial Court. Attorney Mboki Chilisa represents Tshukudu.