Is BDP broke?

Dada rubbishes financial struggle claims

Party fails to pay staff wages, retrenchments looming?

Disgruntled workers threaten to go on strike

BAKANG TIRO

editors@thepatriot.co.bw

Business could soon be brought to a standstill at Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) headquarters, Tsholetsa House as aggrieved workers are threatening to stage a protest over unpaid salaries.

Information turned up by this publication is that it never rains but pours at Tsholetsa House. According to informants from Tsholetsa House, workers are at loggerheads with the party over pending unpaid wages for previous months owing to the financial constraints endured by the party.

It is also said that for some time now, employees have been getting their dues very late. Disgruntled by the inconsistent payment of their wages by the party’s office administrators, workers are considering to embark on a tools down in the near future to express their concerns.

Also, employees have threatened to escalate the matter to BDP leadership particularly President Mokgweetsi Masisi together with vice president Slumber Tsogwane who is also chairman of BDP. “Workers’ welfare has been compromised of late with their dues not being paid well. So, this situation has resulted in lot of discontentment by the employees. There is lot of disregard for labour laws with regards to the situation and the leadership must intervene,” said one employee, requesting anonymity.

In addition, the staff protest that not only their salaries are difficult to come forth but they also say there are no overtime paid to them despite the extra hard work they put in running party affairs. They further charged that people outside think that their conditions of service are conducive just because they are working for the ruling party which have a great connections of sponsors.

Employees also fear that the party could retrench some workers owing to the financial problems.

BDP broke?

Contacted for a comment on Friday, the BDP Chairman of Communications, Kagelelo Kentse referred this publication to party Treasurer Satar Dada. Dada said there is no truth in reports that BDP is broke and has failed to pay staff wages, buttressing that the party is not going to retrench any of its employees. “Such will never happen. Whoever said that it’s all nonsense. Thank you very much,” said Dada.

Sources had alleged that the BDP{ has run out funds, and ongoing efforts to replenish depleting coffers have fallen on deaf ears as corporate financiers are also struggling due to Covid19. The financial squeeze came at time when the party was facing by-election campaigns for 11 council seats, branch and regional elections as well the upcoming elective congress billed for July 2022.

In a short campaign towards the December’s council by-elections, BDP failed to pull the crowds and later suspended campaigns, using the Covid19 protocols as an excuse. Notwithstanding the decision to suspend campaigns due to a spike in Covid-19 cases, some BDP insiders insist that the decision was prompted by acute shortage of finances for campaigns.

Apart from sourcing funds from its sponsors, the ruling party also relies on the subscriptions from members and fundraising activities like dinners which have been all affected by Covid-19.

While some of the party members blame Covid-19, others are putting the blame for financial distress towards the rife misappropriation of funds during the 2019 general elections campaigns. It is said large sums of money from the BDP well-wishers have not been accounted for post elections.

“There has been lot of wastage at the party office with regards to use of funds. Since the BDP Secretary General Mpho Balopi was somehow pushed away from the affairs at Tsholetsa, staff has been enduring lot of difficulties. Some of bills are also being paid in a sluggish manner. Even for staff just to be provided with tea in office these days is so very difficult,” confided another source.