The big fallout
As workers gathered in Letlhakane to commemorate International Labour Day today (Friday), divisions within the trade union movement cast a shadow over the celebrations.
Factional battles have reportedly erupted within the Botswana Federation of Public, Private and Parastatal Sector Unions (BOFEPUSU), with tensions between the Manual Workers Union (NALGCPWU) and the Botswana Land Board and Local Authorities Workers Union (BLLAHWU) threatening to split the federation.
Insiders allege that government is backing moves to establish a third federation, alongside BOFEPUSU and the Botswana Federation of Trade Unions (BFTU). There currently exist two federations: BOFEPUSU and the Botswana Federation of Trade Unions (BFTU).
“The Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) is fully in support of the idea. The plan is to divide and rule. By the look of things, the government wants to destabilise the labour movements,” a source claimed.
Plans are allegedly afoot for BLLAHWU to take the presidency of the new federation and for the Secretary General position to be given to Botswana Sector of Educators Trade Union (BOSETU). Another union allegedly courted
within BOFEPUSU is said to be the Botswana Doctors Union (BDU).
“What seems to have annoyed government also is the recent utterance by veteran unionist Johnson Motshwarakgole of the Manual Workers Union, where he launched an attack on the government of the day and sent a warning to President Duma Boko,” another source said.
BLLAHWU is allegedly championing the establishment of the new federation. According to insiders, things are no longer stable within BOFEPUSU.
“It looks like the target is BOFEPUSU because of memberships when compared with BFTU,” the source said.
BOFEPUSU Secretary General Robert Rabasimane told this publication that they have heard about the rumours of a new federation.
“We heard such news and we are not surprised. Comrades have not been that active in the activities of the federation. We heard that they recently made inquiries at the Registrar about the possibilities of forming a new federation,” he said.
According to Rabasimane their colleagues have not healed since their defeat at the BOFEPUSU congress in 2023.
He stated that they are very disappointed by the government’s involvement in issues of trade unions. He also confirmed that they are aware that government is highly involved in the setting up of the new federation.
“BOFEPUSU is the target because it has been a critic of the government. Another issue is that BOPFEUSU is largely constituted by public sector unions. They want unions that they can control as government. We had thought that attitude has ended with the BDP rule but it seems we were wrong,” he said in an interview.
Rabasimane warned their colleagues and the government to dare forge ahead with the new federation.
“Let them go ahead and establish it. We shall meet. We will not be deterred in our mandate to fight for the workers. We want to work cordially with the employer but not to be abused or bullied. We still believe in the tripartite relationship,” Rabasimane, who is also the Deputy Chief Executive Officer of Manual Workers Union, warned.
BLLAHWU President Thatayaone Kesebonye dismissed the allegations as baseless and unfounded. In fact, he would not be surprised if any of the BOFEPUSU affiliates is contemplating pushing for another federation because
Manual Workers is the one that has caused instability within the federation.
He confirmed that there is a rift within the federation.
“The rift has been caused by Manual Workers Union. That is why they are isolated. Manual Workers Union first had a fall out with BLLAHWU before same happened with other affiliates. Things started getting worse during the 2025 salary negotiations with the employer,” he told this publication on Wednesday this week.
Kesebonye revealed that for long Manual Workers have displayed a big brother mentality and now that they are losing grip on the labour force they want to “soil other comrades.” He refuted claims that they are working behind the scenes with the government.
“Manual Workers established BFTU then they caused instability there. They then moved to cause the establishment of BOFEPUSU, and they are destabilising it, so it is in their nature. At least colleagues within BOFEPUSU have discovered. Manual Workers even today, have a rift with BOPEU, which is not even an affiliate of BOFEPUSU.”
According to Kesebonye, if there are any people who feel their ideology and workers’ agenda are no longer aligned with what BOFEPUSU stands for, they are free to establish another federation in line with Botswana laws and International Labour Organisation (ILO) requirements.
“We are focused on the Public Service Bargaining Council in terms of admission and having it running so that workers’ rights can be protected,” he said.