Gov't reverses BOPEU transfers
Tsaone Basimanebotlhe | Thursday May 16, 2019 15:35
The four NEC members, Letlhogile Ramaphane, Kaboyaone Sedimo, Ogaufi Masame and Zibani Philemon received transfer letters recently, at a time when the union leadership was embroiled in factional wars. It was also set to hold its NEC extra-ordinary meeting.
The transfers meant that they could relinquish their positions as chairpersons of regions they represent, and subsequently lose seats in the union’s highest decision-making body, the NEC.
“This serves to inform you that our letter of intention to transfer dated April 26, 2019 is hereby withdrawn. You will therefore remain at Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI) and any inconvenience caused by our previous letter is highly regretted,” a letter written by acting director of Public Service Management (DPSM) Molefi Keaja reads.
All the four NEC members confirmed to Mmegi that indeed they received their transfer withdrawal letters. Recently at the press conference, acting president Monakwe said they would engage DPSM on transfers of the four regional chairpersons.
Sedimo said; “Our committee had to intervene through the attorney. The transfers were allegedly influenced by BOPEU politics and they only affected people who are not in the same faction with suspended president Masego Mogwera. Our union fights should not affect our work”.
He said what shocked them most is that the transfer letters dropped to them after work at their homes and even some of their supervisors at work were not aware of them.
“The transfers were done deliberately so that the planned NEC meeting may collapse. What is shocking is that the regional chairpersons were told to report to their new areas immediately,” Monakwe had said.
The special NEC meeting was supposed to discuss or ask the ‘suspended’ president Masego Mogwera to make forensic audit report available to NEC members and discuss all pending BOPEU cases.
Mogwera has challenged her suspension and the judgment will be delivered next week. Mogwera has refuted claims that she was behind transfers.