Seretse breaks ranks with BDP
Bonte Seepi | Wednesday May 3, 2017 16:41
The controversial Seretse questioned the Government’s fairness to the Court cases that have recently been going on between BOFEPUSU, Botswana Public Employees Union (BOPEU) and the Government.
She said the country’s Constitution allows separation of powers, hence Batswana should get concerned when they realise that they do not have an independent judiciary. She said, “I am wondering if the Court cases between the labour movements and the Government really went well. What concerns me most is that the public servants received three percent and four percent salary increment only whilst Members of Parliament received 30% more”.
Seretse said she expected one of the MPs to complain about the difference in the salary increases and question why they have been given more because all public servants are the same. She urged unionists not to despair when talking about such issues, saying they should not be afraid when their rights are being crushed.
“I grew up under BDP parents, but there is no how I can keep quiet if I can see that things are not going well in the party. So, even unionists should not despair when there is a problem regarding the workers’ rights.
If it means that something is wrong and I should buy that with my life, let it be. Perceptions of people sometimes are more important than reality. If people say there is corruption, then the Government should answer,” said Seretse.
The outspoken politician further said people must remember that the high unemployment that the country faces today is as a result that BDP has taught a lot of people, but failed to educate them about entrepreneurship.
“I agree with you that time has come for the Government to stimulate the economy. It has to do that through manufacturing. We shouldn’t produce graduates who end up being unemployed because at the end of the day all Batswana have a collective responsibility,” she said. However, Seretse said people ought to know how to complain. She said, “but let’s do that without fear or favour.”
She said the freedom of speech permitted by the country’s Constitution allows people to differ. However, she said that must be done with respect. She said corruption can only be stopped by all Batswana.
Meanwhile, Seretse assured the labour movements of her stay at the BDP saying she will make changes from the within. She described herself as a patriot saying before she belongs to any movement she shall defend her state.
She said the Government, with the help of opposition parties, should see to it that they protect the Rule of Law Index to allow people’s freedom.
However, she said there is no country that is not challenged by unemployment.