BOPEU sends Tswaipe packing
Innocent Selatlhwa | Tuesday October 18, 2016 19:00
The veteran unionist was charged with serious misconduct by the union for sharing information he acquired by virtue of his employment. An insider told Mmegi that the former national organiser of Trainers and Allied Workers Union (TAWU) was fired last week.
“The disciplinary committee found him guilty and the recommendation was that he be fired, he should have gotten the letter by now,” the source said.
According to a letter making part of court documents, the allegations of misconduct relate to, “breach of contract of employment by disclosing confidential information to third parties without authority”.
It is alleged that while Tswaipe was participating in a group called ‘Strategy Room,’ he made several disclosures of confidential information, which came to his attention by virtue of his employment as the head of department.
Tswaipe is said to have disclosed to the said group decisions relating to recruitment of office personnel. He is also said to have disclosed information relating to the union expenditure without permission.
The letter further accuses Tswaipe of bringing the leadership of the union into disrepute. It is alleged that on August 19, 2016, while participating in discussions in a group ‘Strategy Room’ Tswaipe made statements which were not only false, but were demeaning to the leadership of the union.
BOPEU general secretary Topius Marenga would not confirm or deny. “This is an internal matter, I cannot discuss it. If there is anything to share we will tell you,” he said.
Tswaipe could not be reached for a comment as his mobile phone rang unanswered since Friday. Justice Vigil Vergeer of the industrial court sent Tswaipe to the disciplinary hearing a few weeks ago as he attempted to resist through the court. He did not want BOPEU general secretary, Topius Marenga to preside over the matter.
Tswaipe, through his attorney Reuben Lekorwe, had filed an urgent application arguing that the disciplinary proceedings should be administered by the National Executive Committee (NEC) and not the general secretary, seeing that he (Tswaipe) is charged with a serious offence and is a specified employee.
Vergeer said, “the constitution clearly states that only specified employees can have the National Executive Council (NEC) preside over their disciplinary proceedings. The general secretary and his deputy are the only specified employees. Therefore like other unspecified employees, the general secretary shall preside over your disciplinary proceedings”.
Tswaipe was the inaugural head of the education, training & research department that is responsible for the union’s labour college. Before being employed at BOPEU, Tswaipe was a senior trainer at Botswana Public Service College.