Gov’t wants to kill Bargaining Council – Advocate Boko
The attorney representing the main labour centre, the Botswana Federation of Public, Private and Parastatal Sectors Union (BOFEPUSU) Advocate Duma Gideon Boko has hinted that the government wants to “kill” the Public Service Bargaining Council (PSBC) so that it is absolutely “dysfunctional”.
According to Advocate Boko, all the negotiations pertaining to salary increments and conditions of service of public servants should be done through the Bargaining Council. “This will ensure that the law is not rendered worthless,” he maintained in his oral arguments to lone Judge Monametsi Gaongalelwe this week in a fully packed public gallery at Court of Appeal consisting of the adversary union sympathisers for the two rival unions.
Boko said this in his law insignia at the highest Court in Botswana in a matter in which Botswana Public Employees Union (BOPEU) in concert with government was praying for a stay of execution of High Court Judgement delivered by Justice Tshepo Motswagole on the scope of PSBC.
In the Motswagole Judgment, Court declared that the Bargaining Council can only decide on salaries and conditions of service of “all” Public Servants. It further set aside the unilateral increments of 3 % (2016) and 4% (2017) that was awarded by Government outside the ambit of Bargaining Council which he said had violated the Council as well as the Public Service Act of 2008. Aggrieved by the Motswagole judgement, BOPEU and government appealed the judgement.
In the appeal, Boko pointed out to Justice Gaongalelwe verbally that: “government looks resolute to destruct the Bargaining Council and giving itself absolute power over workers and rendering Trade Unions irrelevant. Should government do as it pleases? That’s not what the law in this regard,” he said in his signature bragging and confident voice to the presiding Judge.
He repeatedly stressed that in terms of the law; the Bargaining Council should take all the decisions with regard to salaries of government employees and that’s a “striking distinction between his side and the antagonists in the case.” Advocate Boko further pointed out that BOPEU and government failed to illustrate to court where they will suffer prejudice if they are not granted stay of execution and therefore maintained that they have no case hence no prospects of success. “They should provide concrete evidence to illustrate their case but they failed dismally.”
Boko, who is also the Leader of Opposition in Parliament, highlighted that the submission of government, through Directorate of Public Service Management (DPSM) in concert with BOPEU therefore should consequently not succeed. He reminded them that the Motswagole Judgement, which is at the centre of dispute – does not concern itself with the pay checks and pay backs of the 3% and the 3% and 4% increments – but only with what is “unlawful and illegal.” He emphasised that deciding salary increases outside the PSBC is clearly unlawful and illegal.
On his part, his counterpart Mpho Garebatho concurred with Boko adding that the government should stop continuing with payments of the unlawful salary increments and stop unilateral salary increases outside the Bargaining Council. Meanwhile a lawyer representing BOPEU, Dutch Leburu stated that when replying to Boko that “Bargaining Council is not the law in Botswana.” He prayed that the judgement should come in their favour as the lives of close to 29 000 BOPEU members are at stake in terms of stopping their salaries.
“My lord, this case affects 29 000 members therefore is exceptional and of paramount importance. Imagine, the members’ salary increment of 3% being cut.” He said it will affect their taxes, medical aids, pensions negatively. Leburu added that PSBC is currently rippled with problems and therefore it cannot be trusted. He said BOFEPUSU Acting Jointly Agreement has failed to comply with PSBC constitution in terms of compliance by not submitting membership numbers.
On one side of the appellants, Leburu and Martin Dingake represented BOPEU while government was represented by Advocate Timothy Bruinders. On the other hand Advocate Boko sat in for BOFEPUSU together with Garebatho. After listening to both arguments, Justice Gaongalelwe then reserved the judgement to a later date he said he will announce. The matter has the potential to set the record straight in terms of the relevance of the PSBC.
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Nigerians, Zimbabweans apply for Chema Chema Fund
Fronting activities, where locals are used as a front for foreign-owned businesses, have been a long-standing issue in Botswana. These activities not only undermine the government’s efforts to promote local businesses but also deprive Batswana of opportunities for economic empowerment, officials say. The Ministry of Trade and Industry has warned of heavy penalties for those involved in fronting activities especially in relation to the latest popular government initiative dubbed Chema Chema.
According to the Ministry, the Industrial Development Act of 2019 clearly outlines the consequences of engaging in fronting activities. The fines of up to P50,000 for first-time offenders and P20,000 plus a two-year jail term for repeat offenders send a strong message that the government is serious about cracking down on this illegal practice. These penalties are meant to deter individuals from participating in fronting activities and to protect the integrity of local industries.
“It is disheartening to hear reports of collaboration between foreigners and locals to exploit government initiatives such as the Chema Chema Fund. This fund, administered by CEDA and LEA, is meant to support informal traders and low-income earners in Botswana. However, when fronting activities come into play, the intended beneficiaries are sidelined, and the funds are misused for personal gain.” It has been discovered that foreign nationals predominantly of Zimbabwean and Nigerian origin use unsuspecting Batswana to attempt to access the Chema Chema Fund. It is understood that they approach these Batswana under the guise of drafting business plans for them or simply coming up with ‘bankable business ideas that qualify for Chema Chema.’
Observers say the Chema Chema Fund has the potential to uplift the lives of many Batswana who are struggling to make ends meet. They argue that it is crucial that these funds are used for their intended purpose and not siphoned off through illegal activities such as fronting. The Ministry says the warning it issued serves as a reminder to all stakeholders involved in the administration of these funds to ensure transparency and accountability in their disbursement.
One local commentator said it is important to highlight the impact of fronting activities on the local economy and the livelihoods of Batswana. He said by using locals as a front for foreign-owned businesses, opportunities for local entrepreneurs are stifled, and the economic empowerment of Batswana is hindered. The Ministry’s warning of heavy penalties is a call to action for all stakeholders to work together to eliminate fronting activities and promote a level playing field for local businesses.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Trade and Industry’s warning of heavy penalties for fronting activities is a necessary step to protect the integrity of local industries and promote economic empowerment for Batswana. “It is imperative that all stakeholders comply with regulations and work towards a transparent and accountable business environment. By upholding the law and cracking down on illegal activities, we can ensure a fair and prosperous future for all Batswana.”
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Merck Foundation and African First Ladies mark World Health Day 2024
Merck Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany marks “World Health Day” 2024 together with Africa’s First Ladies who are also Ambassadors of MerckFoundation “More Than a Mother” Campaign through their Scholarship and Capacity Building Program. Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation emphasized, “At Merck Foundation, we mark World Health Day every single day of the year over the past 12 years, by building healthcare capacity and transforming patient care across Africa, Asia and beyond.
I am proud to share that Merck Foundation has provided over 1740 scholarships to aspiring young doctors from 52 countries, in 44 critical and underserved medical specialties such as Oncology, Diabetes, Preventative Cardiovascular Medicine, Endocrinology, Sexual and Reproductive Medicine, Acute Medicine, Respiratory Medicine, Embryology & Fertility specialty, Gastroenterology, Dermatology, Psychiatry, Emergency and Resuscitation Medicine, Critical Care, Pediatric Emergency Medicine, Neonatal Medicine, Advanced Surgical Practice, Pain Management, General Surgery, Clinical Microbiology and infectious diseases, Internal Medicine, Trauma & Orthopedics, Neurosurgery, Neurology, Cardiology, Stroke Medicine, Care of the Older Person, Family Medicine, Pediatrics and Child Health, Obesity & Weight Management, Women’s Health, Biotechnology in ART and many more”.
As per the available data, Africa has only 34.6% of the required doctors, nurses, and midwives. It is projected that by 2030, Africa would need additional 6.1 million doctors, nurses, and midwives*. “For Example, before the start of the Merck Foundation programs in 2012; there was not a single Oncologist, Fertility or Reproductive care specialists, Diabetologist, Respiratory or ICU specialist in many countries such as The Gambia, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Central African Republic, Guinea, Burundi, Niger, Chad, Ethiopia, Namibia among others. We are certainly creating historic legacy in Africa, and also beyond. Together with our partners like Africa’s First Ladies, Ministries of Health, Gender, Education and Communication, we are impacting the lives of people in the most disadvantaged communities in Africa and beyond.”, added Senator Dr. Kelej. Merck Foundation works closely with their Ambassadors, the African First Ladies and local partners such as; Ministries of Health, Education, Information & Communication, Gender, Academia, Research Institutions, Media and Art in building healthcare capacity and addressing health, social & economic challenges in developing countries and under-served communities. “I strongly believe that training healthcare providers and building professional healthcare capacity is the right strategy to improve access to equitable and quality at health care in Africa.
Therefore, I am happy to announce the Call for Applications for 2024 Scholarships for young doctors with special focus on female doctors for our online one-year diploma and two year master degree in 44 critical and underserved medical specialties, which includes both Online Diploma programs and On-Site Fellowship and clinical training programs. The applications are invited through the Office of our Ambassadors and long-term partners, The First Ladies of Africa and Ministry of Health of each country.” shared Dr . Kelej. “Our aim is to improve the overall health and wellbeing of people by building healthcare capacity across Africa, Asia and other developing countries. We are strongly committed to transforming patientcare landscape through our scholarships program”, concluded Senator Kelej.
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Interpol fugitive escapes from Botswana
John Isaak Ndovi, a Tanzanian national embroiled in controversy and pursued under a red notice by the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol), has mysteriously vanished, bypassing a scheduled bail hearing at the Extension 2 Magistrate Court in Gaborone. Previously apprehended by Botswana law enforcement at the Tlokweng border post several months earlier, his escape has ignited serious concerns.
Accused of pilfering assets worth in excess of P1 million, an amount translating to roughly 30,000 Omani Riyals, Ndovi has become a figure of paramount interest, especially to the authorities in the Sultanate of Oman, nestled in the far reaches of Asia.
The unsettling news of his disappearance surfaced following his failure to present himself at the Extension 2 Magistrate Court the preceding week. Speculation abounds that Ndovi may have sought refuge in South Africa in a bid to elude capture, prompting a widespread mobilization of law enforcement agencies to ascertain his current location.
In an official communiqué, Detective Senior Assistant Police Commissioner Selebatso Mokgosi of Interpol Gaborone disclosed Ndovi’s apprehension last September at the Tlokweng border, a capture made possible through the vigilant issuance of the Interpol red notice.
At 36, Ndovi is implicated in a case of alleged home invasion in Oman. Despite the non-existence of an extradition treaty between Botswana and Oman, Nomsa Moatswi, the Director of the Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP), emphasized that the lack of formal extradition agreements does not hinder her office’s ability to entertain extradition requests. She highlighted the adoption of international cooperation norms, advocating for collaboration through the lenses of international comity and reciprocity.
Moatswi disclosed the intensified effort by law enforcement to locate Ndovi following his no-show in court, and pointed to Botswana’s track record of extraditing two international fugitives from France and Zimbabwe in the previous year as evidence of the country’s relentless pursuit of legal integrity.
When probed about the potential implications of Ndovi’s case on Botswana’s forthcoming evaluation by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), Moatswi reserved her speculations. She acknowledged the criticality of steering clear of blacklisting, suggesting that this singular case is unlikely to feature prominently in the FATF’s assessment criteria.