30 Nov 2017

Minister of Mineral Resources, Green Technology and Energy Security, Advocate Sadique Kebonang says he was aware that management of BCL Ltd-In Liquidation, had instituted a disciplinary hearing against an employee who allegedly made statements that could compromise the safety of other employees at a recent Kgotla meeting addressed by Mr Dithapelo Keorapetse.

Answering a question in Parliament on Wednesday, Advocate Kebonang said there were witnesses at the meeting who were concerned with the nature of the statements uttered and reported the matter to the BCL Ltd-In Liquidation.

He said all employees and Batswana were afforded protection through the Constitution of Botswana, and other applicable legislation passed from time to time through Acts such as Employment and the Trade Disputes Acts.
He said he supported freedom of speech as guaranteed under the constitution, adding however that such freedom came  with responsibilities.

He said there were conditions of contract that governed relationship between the employer and the employee in every organisation and it was the responsibility of each of the parties to study the conditions and abide by them.

He said within those conditions would normally be tenets and responsibilities that govern the flow of information and those that govern issues of security in the institution and/or the work place.

He said there were appropriate processes and structures in place to ensure fair and transparent process takes place in relation to matters such as the case in point and should the employee be aggrieved by the outcome or process involved, they had access to remedies as provided for under the applicable legislation.

MP for Selebi Phikwe West, Mr Dithapelo Keorapetse had asked the Minister if he was aware of the BCL Ltd employee facing disciplinary charges for asking questions and contributing at Kgotla meetings addressed by the area MP.

He also asked the minister to state how he would protect Batswana who speak at Kgotla meetings addressed by ministers and MPs and whether he would investigate the matters. ENDS