‘Don’t undermine UDC govt’ – Mohwasa

Minister for State President Moeti Mohwasa has said the new Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) government which is bringing about its structural reforms will not fire civil servants from their jobs but the government’s expectation is that no civil servant should undermine or sabotage the government. Mohwasa sent a chilly warning to the civil servants while briefing the media on Monday in Gaborone. 

According to Mohwasa, government expect the civil servants to be working against mandate of the government as that would be equal to undermining UDC and the mandate it was given by the voters. 

“I want to be clear about this one. We don’t expect any civil servant whether holding senior position not to want to work for the government by act of sabotage. That would be detrimental to service delivery and will backfire on us as the UDC government because we are politicians elected by people,” he said. 

Also, Mohwasa said there are no intentions by the government to remove from positions some civil servants who are believed to be aligned to the past Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) administration. 

He said some civil servants are hired on contracts and would be reviewed when they elapse, adding that some are permanent and pensionable therefore there is no how government can temper with their jobs. 

Mohwasa said it is also vital for civil servants to adhere to the Public Service Act as part of transitioning into the new administration, pointing out that UDC will introduces the Public Service Code of Conduct. 

In addition, he said the government will reform public sector institutions to make them more efficient, transparent, and responsive to the needs of Batswana including review of key state-owned enterprises to improve governance and operational efficiency. 

Union 

He also said there will review and amendment of the Public Service Act, 2008 through consultation with trade unions. 

Botswana Teachers Union (BTU) Publicity Secretary Innocent Puso said any new government that obtains state power would request that everyone who is part of government has to work to help the party in power to govern. 

He said Mohwasa right to plead with senior government officials to assist them as new party in power. 

“As BTU we expect the government to work with trade unions cordially. Our wish is to see a functional Public Service Bargaining Council. It helps to resolve labour disputes within a reasonable time. Labour disputes are part of the workplace and cannot be wished away,” said Puso. 

Reforms 

Meanwhile, Mohwasa also outlined reforms that government will undertake implemented by his ministry. 

DCEC 

Under the Directorate on Corruption and Economic Crime (DCEC), Mohwasa said international best practice is that Anti- Corruption Agencies (ACAs) should operate transparently with public reporting and disclosure as a core part of its function. 

He said there will be review and Amendment of the DCEC Act to strengthen the anti-Corruption and crime prevention institution. 

IEC 

Mohwasa said there will review and amendment of the Electoral Act to Introduce counting of votes at polling stations as opposed to current status. 

He said this will Include Civic Education as one of the duties of IEC Secretary, adding that currently it is unstructured and free for all engagement, where nobody is responsible and accountable for it. 

“We will review IEC Mandate and Functional structure with the view to make the institution more n autonomous/ independent from Government,” he added. 

State Media 

Government will transform the state media to be independent from government control as it the case now. He said there will be independent board governing the mass media, adding that government will cultivate relationship with the private media through organizing training for the journalists. 

In addition, Mohwasa said government will continue support the media through advertising.