CoA dismisses ex-gov't employee's seven-year late return-to-office
Tuesday, April 18, 2023 | 2000 Views |
Gaborone Court of Apeal. PIC: MORERI SEJAKGOMO
Tshwaane was employed as a supplies officer in the Ministry of Basic Education and Skills Development and stationed at one of the schools and his employment contract was terminated by his desertion from work. When he received a letter that the permanent secretary from his ministry was accepting the repudiation of his contract in February 2016, Tshwaane failed to appeal the decision of his employer. He turned up five years later with an ill-conceived claim for an order that he was a public officer of good standing and directing the government to notify him within 30 days of the grant of a court order, of a station within the government establishment at which he should report for duty.
Before appealing the case, Tshwaane’s matter was dismissed by the lower court because he had failed to disclose a cause of action and he had failed to comply with the requirements of order 20 rule five as read with order 24 rule two of the High Court Rules.
As the Botswana National Front (BNF) discusses a policy to place suitably qualified members in strategic positions, the guiding consideration should remain whether an individual is the best person to serve the country. There is nothing wrong with qualified party members applying for public positions. Political affiliation should neither disqualify a capable candidate nor give them an advantage over others. Every Motswana deserves a fair...