Botswana Nurses Union (BONU) secretary-general Lebogang Phillip who was recently suspended by the annual general conference (AGC) has been reinstated to his office.
This comes after the BONU central committee (CC) decided not to challenge his matter in court, in which he was seeking to be reinstated with immediate effect.
Justice Zein Kebonang said there was nothing he could do if the members of BONU CC had failed to respond or challenge the matter and also to pitch up in court.
“My hands are tight and therefore, I am bound to grant the applicant the order he wants. Therefore, the union decision of August 31st, 2023, suspending the applicant (Philip) as secretary-general of BONU be stayed pending the hearing and finalisation of the judicial review application to be instituted by BONU. The respondents will bear the cost of the application on an ordinary scale,” Judge Kebonang said.
Recently, BONU president Peter Baleseng had written to members that the secretary-general would resume his duties in the office without hindrance until the determination of the judicial review application was instituted.
However, efforts by some BONU members to be part of the case or joinder could not succeed. Justice Kebonang further advised them that they could lodge the complaint with the CC for failing to defend the matter and take action against it.
