Unions accuse state media of taking sides on strike
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Since the strike started or even in the run-up to the walkout, the government media has been ignoring the unions while giving extensive coverage to government officials. Over the weekend, Botswana Television (Btv)'s roving reporter Gloria Kgosi, was in her element as she interviewed government officials about the strike by members pf the Botswana Federation of Public Service Unions (BOFEPUSU). Some of the officials that she interviewed on television included the Permanent Secretary to the President Eric Molale and Acting Vice President Ponatshego Kedikilwe.
Radio Botswana also conducted interviews with senior government officials about the strike and not union officials.
While it is widely acknowledged that Khama holds the title of Kgosi, the government’s failure to properly gazette his recognition has raised serious concerns about adherence to legal procedures and the credibility of traditional leadership. (See a story elsewhere in this newspaper.) Recent court documents by the Minister for Local Government and Rural Development, Kgotla Autlwetse, shed light on the intricacies of Khama’s recognition process....