This accusation came after the former received an invitation for a meeting to resolve issues facing brigades 'Caretakers' from BOPEU's Boteti branch recently. In a statement, TAWU vice-president Edward Tswaipe said the meetings are meant to destabilise their movement and recruit members to the Botswana Federation of Public Sector Unions (BOFEPUSU). BOPEU and BOSETU are affiliates of BOFEPUSU, together with three other trade unions, namely: Botswana Teachers Union, Botswana Land Boards, Local Authorities and Health Workers Union and the National Amalgamated, Central and Local Government and Parastatal Workers Union.
"The main strategy of these unions is to recruit members into dual membership, using BancABC loans so that they can later challenge TAWU's recognition status," Tswaipe said. TAWU's Central Executive Committee (CEC) dismissed the meeting as separatist and dividing employees who currently face employment challenges, into small groups in pursuit of separate interests. Moreover, TAWU pointed a finger of accusation at the two union members for, 'wanting TAWU to assist them to divide its members and help their members organise in brigades,'
Subsequent to government takeover of brigades, some employees who previously held supervisory positions were appointed as caretakers for senior positions. The positions include among others heads of departments. As a result numerous questions were raised for instance, lack of clarity in their authority and whether they will be remunerated.
