Factional wars delay BOPEU staff salaries
Monakwe, Sedimo, Philemon taken to court for contempt
When two elephants fight, it is the grass that suffers. This aptly captures the bickering between Masego Mogwera and Olefile Monakwe’s factions over the control of the Botswana Public Employees Union ( BOPEU).
The fight has resulted in the union staff salaries for the month of May 2021 being delayed as Mogwera has since caused the freezing of BOPEU main account at Standard Chartered Bank.
Mogwera has filed an application for contempt of court after her rivals within the Botswana Public Employees Union ( BOPEU) refused to allow her to be signatory to the union accounts.
On Tuesday this week attorney Dutch Leburu of Monthe Marumo and Company revealed in a letter to Rantao Attorney that they are approaching the court for appropriate directions.
“We record that we have not received confirmation that the threats and intimidation issued to the Treasurer General by Kaboyaone Sedimo, Olefile Monakwe and Zibani Philemon will not be effectuated and that the Treasurer General will be allowed to facilitate the uploading of staff salaries on to the system for her and Masego Mogwera to validate and approve,” said Leburu in the letter.
In another letter from Monthe Marumo and Company to Collins Chilisa Legal Consultants, attorney Phenyo Sekape wrote: “memorandum sent by Masego Mogwera to the Treasurer General respecting the processing and verification of the payroll for the BOPEU staff. Same is dated 18th May 2021 and the contents thereof are selfexplanatory.
“It has come to the attention of the President that notwithstanding the undertaking by the Treasurer General, Panana Dipatane to deliver the payroll for her signature and verification, Olefile Monakwe and Kaboyaone Sedimo have directed otherwise.
“The effect of the refusal and or delay in delivering the payroll as requested has a significant impact on the financial obligations of the employees of BOPEU”.
Sekape indicated that the lawfirm propose that Mogwera and Treasurer General, Dipatane should meet for verification and signature of the payroll. He explained that if the parties are unable to agree “we may be left with no option but to approach court on urgency citing Kaboyaone Sedimo and Olefile Monakwe for contempt of the Judgment of 7th May 2021.
“Kindly advise whether you have authority to receive and process on behalf of Kaboyaone Sedimo, Olefile Monakwe and Panana Dipatane should this arise”.
Last week Mogwera had also written to the Treasurer General that following the resuscitation of signatories with the banks, there is need to closely monitor on union expenditure.
She pointed out that as such with immediate effect payments all processed will be paid out with the authority of the President. She directed the Treasurer General to facilitate all contractual payments that run the union operations such as utility bills, telephone charges, rentals and other relevant operational expenses.
She said all payments should be itemised for proper classification and submit also itemised payroll for all union staff for the salaries of May 2021 to allow running of payroll on time to avoid any inconvenience to staff. Mogwera also directed that all financial obligations are met as per the agreement with stakeholders or service providers.