This is misleading...

| Friday July 2, 2010 00:00

It is important for a credible newspaper like Mmegi to inform and get people to know as their motto goes. This can only be achieved if the reporters in this paper or their correspondents write well researched and thought out articles. There is no point of carrying articles that are demonstrating bias and end up misinforming  the people.

First, to suggest that civil servants are that cheap and narrow-minded as the article seems to suggest is not only insulting but degrading on the part of the civil servants in this democratic country. We in the BDP value and respect the public service. All these developments in this country have come as a result of their dedication, patriotism and professional approach. Botswana has one of the best educated, professional and enterprising civil service comparable to any in the developed countries. The fact that your friend, whom you refer to as having wanted a promotion through acquisition of the BDP card in your article as one who is testimony to your allegation should not be meant to conclude to be a generality. Advise him or her that he/she had a wrong approach - the best way to be promoted is through delivery in the public service.

In reading your article one can easily tell that you seem to have a problem with civil servants who chose to be BDP members before and after the civil service. As a reporter and through the help of your editor, we expect a balanced story for the purpose of informing the public and not to 'choke' misinformation through their minds.

Kindly do a similar analysis of the former civil servants who were BCP, BNF as well as MELS activists during and after their career, then we will appreciate your article as worthy reading otherwise, we shall take it to be the usual propaganda that is meant to discredit the BDP and the government.

Secondly, to put things into perspective, I would like to refer the author of the article and the public at large to the fact that the criteria for appointment into the public service is spelt out in Part VI Section 14 and 17 Public Service Act which states that, appointment and entry into the public servant shall be 'based on regard for efficiency of the public service and proven record of performance, skills and competencies'. There is no where it makes insinuations of party affiliation. Besides, no politician including the minister can influence promotion of any public servant. All these powers are vested in the permanent secretary to the president with some delegated to the permanent secretary heading the ministry.

Thirdly, for the benefit of the reader, I have made reference to the general orders that govern the public servants and Section 38 of these general orders explicitly explains the political conduct and union activities of all public officers. It simply states that officers are entitled to their own political views, but cannot publicly speak or demonstrate for or against any politician of political party and cannot take a active part in support of any candidate in an election. Finally, the choice to join a political party whilst and after leaving public service is that of an individual.

We have seen many who joined the opposition parties immediately after leaving the public service. We at the BDP have no problem with that so long as during their time as civil servants they have performed their duties as in accordance with the general orders and the public service act. Since you have decided to play ignorance to this, kindly be reminded that the BNF became popular in the southern district after a high profile and prominent personality, Kgosi Bathoen left bogosi in 1969 to directly and immediately join the BNF. Keatla Masogo, a former PS in Education and Home Affairs for more than 20 years joined the BNF a few days after leaving the public service. Sidwel Gabatshwane former citizenship officer at Immigration was an activist of the BNF and later became MP representing BNF, Otsweletse Moupo former attorney in government later joined BNF a few days after retirement, R Pilane who later became BNF for Kgatleng, Gilson Saleshando was once in district administration then joined BNF, Omphitlhetse Maswabi was once deputy permanent secretary Ministry of  Finance joined the BNF and became MP for Kanye, Pontius Mokgosana former deputy permanent secretary Ministry of Finance and soon became an active member of the BNF, Whyte Marobela, Gagolepe Nthebolang, Lesego Toro etc The list can go on and on. Let us please tell the truth for the benefit of our people and not paint a picture that those who are BDP will find their way up.

Shaw KgathiBDP Culture and Publicity Committee