BOFEPUSU protests against sleaze and corruption start today

Botswana Federation of Public Parastatal and Private Sector Unions (BOFEPUSU) is planning a demonstration against corruption today (Wednesday) in Gaborone. The Federation has invited political parties, other unions, churches and the civil society to join them in the demonstration. Acting Secretary General of the Federation, Mogomotsi Motshegwa said everything is in order. He said they have mobilised various sectors of the society to join them in the demonstrations.

According to Motshegwa, the civil society, churches, traditional leaders and Business Botswana have been quiet about media reports that Botswana Public Officers Pension Fund (BPOPF) and National Petroleum Fund (NPF) are allegedly being looted by high ranking government officials. He said public servants have gone for many years with no salary increment due to unavailability of funds but all of a sudden funds are said to have fallen on hands of certain individuals. He explained that after the Gaborone demonstration they would dispatch teams around the country to hold demonstrations. Motshegwa said the looting at BPOPF will in the long run further impoverish public servants. He said when public servants retire they would not find anything left from their savings.

Public servants save through their contribution of 5 percent and government’s 50 percent, this is not a favour but a condition of service so public servants have to ask for accountability, he stated. He said fuel and food prices are high but there is nothing that cushions workers in Batswana while few individuals are dipping their hands in public funds.