BOMAWU demands reinstatement of GabzFM duo

Botswana Media and Allied Workers Union(BOMAWU) is tomorrow (Thursday) expected to hand in a petition to local radio station Gabz FM demanding the reinstatement of the station’s two suspended employees - Keikantse Shumba and Reginald Richardson.

The duo was suspended indefinitely last week Friday after reporting for duty following the end of an initial 10-day suspension. “The two comrades were apparently served with new suspension letters on Sunday which state that their suspension is indefinite.

“We have tried to engage the Gabz FM management on the issue to no avail. We have decided to petition them by Thursday to reinstate the two comrades as they have failed to charge them with any offence,” BOMAWU President Phillimon Mmeso told The Midweek Sun in an interview.

He stated that this confirms what the union has been complaining about that within the media industry, labour laws are violated willy-nilly. “We are going to fight to ensure that our rights are respected,” said Mmeso, adding that it is high time that media workers stand up for their rights. Mmeso revealed that they will roll out a Recognition Agreement before the end of the year to every media house.

The Recognition Agreement requires that the Union be informed of any decision that is taken in the workplace that affects members of the union. The Gabz FM Morning Show duo was suspended allegedly after Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) lodged a complaint with the Gabz FM management for airing a voice clip of an alleged meeting between Vice President Mokgweetsi Masisi and some Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) councillors and members.

The recorded tape was aired on the station’s morning show, Breakfast with Reg. The party had made a complaint through its Communications and International Relations Chairman Thapelo Pabalinga. Pabalinga in the letter demanded an apology from the radio station.

Pabalinga alleges that there was no attempt by the suspended pair to contact the party during the show. BOMAWU has expressed concern about some media houses for turning their backs on their employees. Some media house owners are said to be hesitant airing or publishing criticism against the BDP and its policies with the hope of getting business in terms of adverts from government.