BDP cuts 'deals' with BOFEPUSU leaders

EPHRAIM KEORENG
Staff Writer | Friday August 12, 2011 00:00

 

Mmegi investigations reveal that the BDP officials have held covert meetings with union leaders where the latter were asked to desist from working with opposition parties and supporting their umbrella strategy, which will see the opposition uniting against the ruling BDP. They (BDP officials) are said to have promised some union leaders who are seeking re-election support, especially in campaigns.

One of the union leaders allegedly approached by the BDP is Shandukani Hlabano, president of Botswana Sectors of Educators Trade Unions (BOSETU) who is seeking re-election at his party's elections this weekend.

During the strike the idea of regime change was peddled by ordinary members and later supported by BOFEPUSU leaders. The BDP is said to be wary of a united opposition that is supported by the labour movement, which is about 100,000 members strong.

Botswana National Front (BNF) publicity secretary Moeti Mohwasa said the BDP is not interested in workers' rights, but wants to weaken the labour movement, saying they are pursuing the neo-liberal ideology, which promotes policies that, are against workers. Mohwasa said the BDP government abused workers' rights 'and now wants to weaken them through this underhand tactics while at the same time promoting big business.'

He said as the opposition they know that between now and the 2014 elections the BDP will try to entice workers in various ways, including increasing public servants wages.

'What is important is for the unions to understand and look for a working class agenda to guide them, thus avoiding being used as the BDP is trying to do with them,' he said.

When contacted for comment Hlabano admitted meeting ruling party officials but not in secret as he was in the company of other BOFEPUSU leaders. He said they also met the opposition, and added that in all the meetings they sought to lobby legislators from both the political divide to support and influence legislation that is geared at improving the working conditions of workers and other labour issues.

'In our campaigns we don't need to use money. So why would I get money from the BDP?' he asked.

Hlabano also refused to disclose his political affiliation and emphasised that there is no outside influence in the way he approaches labour issues, he also refuted allegations that anyone in the BOFEPUSU leadership is frolicking with the BDP to push the party's agenda to the detriment of the federation.

'If anything, the BDP will not want me to win these (BOSETU) elections, especially that it was during my presidency that the teaching fraternity gave government a lot of flak and even that examinations crisis of last year happened under my leadership of this teachers union,' he said.

For his part, BOFEPUSU secretary general Andrew Motsamai said he was not aware of any federation leader who has been infiltrated by the ruling party to do its bidding in the labour movement. 'Those who are saying this to you, are wary of our unity as BOFEPUSU and want to cause divisions amongst us,' he said.  BDP labour sub-committee vice-chairman Ramadeluka Seretse said they have held meetings with the trade unions, especially BOFEPUSU to discuss labour issues like the strike 'and not politics. We did not talk about regime change or politics,' he said.