The Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) has accused the the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) government of violating the Public Service Act by appointing people to positions on the basis of their political party affiliations.
“The Patriot on Sunday reports that a senior oficer at the Office of the President is busy instructing parastatals and private sector executives to hire people from within the BDP circle. This is apparently an instruction from office of the President meant to cater for their activists ard symipathisers.” the party condemned.
According to an article by The Patriot on Sunday, President Masisi’s advisor wants friend appointed as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for LLR. The paper reports that the board’s recruitment process was cancelled on the basis that some senior government official had their own preferred candidate. “We have received intelligence that you want to appoint Boitumelo Molefe. My bosses don’t approve. Therefore, you have to cancel the CEO recruitment process. We have a candidate we want you to appoint. The industry believes she is my ‘friend’. Her name is Bogaufi Ndlovu*, an executive at (a local bank)” Office of the President boss reportedly said, as quoted by The Patriot on Sunday newspaper.
The UDC also allege reports that on Saturday 4th December 2021, Mr Boyce Sebetela, who holds Chief of Staff position, held a strategy session with a BDP subcommittee. The party believes this is testimony that Sebetela continues to be active in BDP affairs, while he is a public servant, thereby violating Section five (5) of the Public Service Act. The Act prohibits him to speak or demonstrate for any politician or political party and further prohibits him from being an active member of a palitical party.
“Recently, a BDP Member of parliament, Mr Aubrey Lesaso submitted in parliament that positions in the public service should be reserved for BDP members and sympathizers. This Is unfair to deserving non BDP members who get denied of opportunities to serve their country. It is a strategy to arm twist people to join the party and also build a war chest for the 2024 general elections by deliberately transferring resources from the state to party activists. In our manifesto, we emphasize that appointments to positions in government should be based on merit. This behaviour by the ruling BDP is not only discriminatory but also affects public service delivery and morale. The same behaviour and attitude also obtains when it comes to government projects, particularly those involving large sums of money. Some contractors are not engaged on merit but on political affiliation, This comprises the quality of projects delivered and the country’s economy.” charged the UDC.
