Masisi’s P1.5 billion promise a campaign tool – Retired soldiers
After President Mokgweetsi Masisi’s revelation that about 1.5 billion has been set aside for the military veterans, A Re Itshekeng (ARI) Social Club which has been at the forefront of seeking justice for retired soldiers says the announcement is nothing but a campaign tool. Masisi during a recent rally in Goodhope assured the retired soldiers that their prayers had finally been answered because he will sit down with them, make peace and wipe past scars. “We have noted with concern, the recent statement by the President at a political rally in Good Hope that P1.5 Billion has been set aside for settling the dues of the military retirees. This again is an unfortunate position by Masisi to erroneously tell the nation and unsuspecting military retirees to think that the money is solely for the latter’s upkeep. Saddening enough, it appears that the current dispensation to ‘settle’ the pensions matter has come to be reduced to what appears to be a campaign tool on the eve of the general elections, a trend being repeated from 2019,” ARI highlighted during a media brief this week.
Retired soldiers are suing the government for transferring their pension to the Botswana Public Officers Pension Fund (BPOPF) without their consent in 2001. Thousands of former soldiers are languishing in poverty and have long felt the weight of their new reality with paltry retirement packages.
With the government initially unprepared to meet their needs, the ex-military personnel feel that the latter were responsible for putting them in these incredibly stressful situations. Despite the 1.5 billion assurances, ARI Social Club said they have experienced and witnessed a host of unfortunate developments at the hands of the government aimed at misleading members of the public and also calling to question the integrity of the retired General Officers.
ARI added that Masisi took the lead in making empty promises by leading Batswana to believe that their quest for justice was politically motivated. ARI also stated that the introduction of soldiers’ Ntlole in 2019 was a divide and rule tactic, by Masisi to serving soldiers while marginalizing the retired ones. ARI said Masisi has shown lack of commitment and consistency. “The government has added salt to injury by insinuating that former General Officers are a pack of irresponsible officers before the eyes of Batswana and the international community. Partaking in parliamentary debates, the President labelled General Officers “Batlhanogi” (hypocrites),”ARI further stated.
ARI said contrary to the expectations of the general citizenry, Parliament, military retirees and in-service personnel, the current position of the government, clearly demonstrates that all that glitters is not gold.
The retirees said they are still seeking restoration of their original and rightful pension as provided for in the BDF Act, along with appropriate adjustments to ensure they can afford a decent life post-retirement. “Two critical issues prompted the retirees to approach the courts for redress. Firstly, the application of the inappropriate denominator in the calculations of the pension benefits for members of the BDF. Secondly, the unlawful migration of military personnel from their rightful pension as provided for in the BDF Act, to Botswana Public Officers Pension Fund (BPOPF), a pension regime primarily designed for the Civil Service, not for military personnel,” ARI pointed out.
The ARI Social Club aim to seek justice and fairness in pension dispensations for all military retirees, ensuring they receive honor and respect for their service. ARI says that it also seeks to make government meet her obligations to ensure ex-servicemen are not subjected to inhumane treatment which has forced them into abject poverty. Furthermore, A Re Itshekeng said it seeks to stop any future unnecessary sufferings by retiring servicemen and women because of inappropriate pension earnings post military service.