Ex-Special Constables demand severance benefits

Some former Botswana Police Service Special Constables are grumbling over the severance pays they were promised by their employers some years ago when their contracts of employment ended or were not renewed for various reasons. In an interview, the aggrieved told The Midweek Sun that they were made to hurry and fill up the forms when the issue of severance pay first came up. Some say they were threatened that they would not get their monies paid if they filled the forms late. Some are even prepared to approach the office of the president for their issues to be addressed. Asked about the accusations, Botswana Police Service Public Relations Officer Jayson Chabota did not confirm or deny the allegations but directed us to a Botswana Police Service facebook page posted on the 12 October 2018 with a list of names of 117 former special constables whose payments are ready at their police headquarters. Despite the posted names a good number the complainants insist that their names are not in the list. In fact they say the names that appear on the list are those of seasoned police officers currently at work. A complainant that didn’t want to be named said that their former employers have their contact details but prefer to post names on Facebook knowing very well that most of them are now unemployed and unable to keep up with social media.