Gov�t, Trade Unions Can�t Afford To Be Enemeies

Mmegi Editor | Monday February 20, 2017 11:36

Six Judges appointed by the President were declared illegal, thereby rendering the CoA non-existent until such constitutional matters pertaining to the appoint of the CoA Judges have been resolved by Parliament.

While the historic case surely rubber-stamps the rule of law and underlining that no one, even the President can be above the law, perhaps most importantly this is one case that defines the deep differences between the Government led by Ian Khama as President and the labour movement led by Johnson Motshwarakgole.

Since Government decided to play hard ball with the trade Union going as far as frustrating the Union efforts including reversing laws, taking away their organisational rights, the Union did not just fold arms; in 2014 they came very close to deciding who won the General Elections, and many agree that they will be a decisive factor once again in 2019.

The latest move to challenge the powers of the President successfully also demonstrates how seriously the Labour movement would retaliate against the regime, including causing constitutional chaos like it has happened in this latest case. Those in the know say that this is just one of the many legal cases the Labour movement are prepared to launch against Government as long as they continue to feel that the regime is playing games with the trade Union.

Perhaps this is the time to realise that the war against Union can have far-reaching consequences and try to find how to work together amicably. That being said, the Union stands to challenge the constitutionality of the certain powers of the President is most welcome. This is one area where Motshwarakgole’s Manual Workers has excelled; they have hosted seminars on unemployment, consistently produced reviews of the Vision 2016, as well as delving into constitutional matters in order to contribute to the democracy of this country.

For that they deserve a standing ovation. Not Tanki ya Motswana!