BOFEPUSU, BFTU lead as big seven condemn BIUST

The Botswana Federation of Trade Unions (BFTU) and Botswana Federation of Public Private and Parastatal Sector Unions (BOFEPUSU) are leading the chorus of criticism of the decision by BIUST management to fire a whistle-blower who had made allegations of corruption and mismanagement against the institution’s Vice Chancellor.

The two umbrella trade union federations’ voices have been joined by five other influential public sector unions, including BOPEU, which also organises at BIUST, Manual Workers, BLHAHWU, Botswana Nurses Union (BONU) and the Botswana Teachers Union (BTU).

The voices of the federations and unions come hot on the heels of the sacking of Dr. Malatsi Galani, himself a shop-steward of BOSETU and a member of the BIUST Council. Dr. Galani was sent packing following his claims against Vice Chancellor Professor Otlogetswe Totolo.

His sacking was preceded by a disciplinary hearing which found that the allegations levelled against the Vice Chancellor were not supported by evidence. Dr. Galani had made the allegations to the BIUST Council chairperson as a member of the BIUST Board.

This week, BOFEPUSU described Dr. Galani’s whistle-blowing initiatives as heroic and regretted the manner BIUST chose to fire him from work, adding that the BIUST action had deeply concerned BOFEPUSU. “As the Federation we are deeply disappointed by what BIUST have done to one of us and BOFEPUSU shall make sure this matter shall not die a natural death.”

BOFEPUSU labelled the BIUST stance as, “shameful”, but said such stance should not deter anyone in the workplace to report issues of maladministration and corruption. BOFEPUSU further said they shall work closely with BOSETU to ensure that Dr. Galani returns safely to work.

BOFEPUSU further highlighted that, “the kangaroo court that BIUST set against Dr Galani violated at least eight tenets of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) fundamentals convention 87, “It is shocking that BIUST, led by educated men and women can fail a simple task to protect a hero like Dr. Galani”, reads BOFEPUSU statement signed by secretary-general Robert Rabasimane.

“This is a serious defeat against organising in the work place, BIUST should be ashamed of their acts because they are simply telling workers that they should not report any corruption or maladministration in the future.”

“We stand with BOSETU as they continue voicing against the injustice done against one of us. We support them also for reporting this matter to the ILO because many organisations in Botswana continue to trample workers rights even though they are enshrined in the constitution and in the eight ILO fundamentals convention that the country subscribes to.” Meanwhile, the BFTU also issued a separate statement strongly condemning what they termed the unjust dismissal of Dr. Galani.

BFTU said Dr. Galani’s dismissal, which occurred on January 9, 2024 after a disciplinary process that lasted nine months, raises serious questions about the protection of trade union leaders and whistle-blowers in our country in general.

Dr. Galani’s case amplifies his commitment as a shop steward of BOSETU at BIUST, a member of the BIUST Council, his dedication to the principles of trade unionism and most importantly the principles of good governance, BFTU states.

Meanwhile, BOPEU viewed BIUST action as perjury. BOPEU said BIUST motivation to fire Dr Galani is all contained in the court judgment of March 23, 2023, where Justice Lekorwe had ruled against BIUST in the matter where BIUST were the applicants and never appealed the judgment after defeat.

BOPEU says the court had given Dr. Galani protection under the whistle-blowing Act of 2016, “And for BIUST to formulate charges that seem to undermine a judgment of the court cannot be left unchallenged.”

BOPEU further states that BIUST action contradicted President Mokgweetsi Masisi’s stated stance against corruption and maladministration, adding that BIUST had deviated from a national agenda.

Meanwhile, Botswana Teachers Union (BTU) said BIUST had been terrifying, unscrupulous, malicious, and tyrannical in its quest to promote acts of corruption and maladministration.

BTU also said BIUST actions were a gross violation and attack on trade union rights and democracy and that Dr. Galani should be viewed as a patriot for his fearless whistle-blowing effort, which are essential to good corporate governance and democracy. For their part, BONU said they strongly believe that the dismissal of Dr. Galani by BIUST was reactive, overzealous, unreasonable and unethical and called for immediate reinstatement of the lecturer.

Manual Workers Union said the BIUST decision to fire Dr. Galani under the circumstances, was a major setback to workers fighting against corruption and maladministration in the workplace.

The union called out BIUST for taking the country back to the dark ages of colonialism when there was no organising, no workers rights. Manual Workers further said the BIUST action was an upfront to the democratic ethos that Botswana is internationally known for and called for the immediate reinstatement of Dr. Galani.

Meanwhile, the Botswana Land Board and Local Governments and Health Workers Union (BLHAHWU) called on the Directorate on Corruption and Economic Crime (DCEC) and other prosecuting authorities to follow Dr. Galani’s trail and investigate BIUST.