Border unmanned as BURS strike bites
Monday, July 27, 2015
Last week an Industrial Court decision granted the more than 1,000 Botswana Public Employees Union (BOPEU) members permission to engage in industrial action against BURS. Last Friday, The Monitor visited Tlokweng border gate, which is one of the busiest to assess the situation on the ground. At this border, 20 workers had downed tools in the morning shift and were gathered under a tree outside the border gate.
To keep themselves busy and to fight off the cold weather, they sung and danced to strike songs. At the counters, few people were busy at work helping the travellers to South Africa.
While every citizen, including the Head of State, has the right to voice opinions, the tone and context of the President’s comments were regrettably dismissive and risk chilling free expression in our country. The remarks are not isolated. They form part of a disturbing pattern of public attacks on independent institutions pillars essential to the healthy functioning of our democracy. The Judiciary, the Legislature, and now the media have all...