11 Dec 2019

Three freelance journalists engaged by the Department of Information Services have been paid their dues, the Assistant Minister for Presidential Affairs, Governance and Public Administration Mr Dumezweni Mthimkhulu has told Parliament. 

Answering the question in the house on December 10, Mr Mthimkhulu said he was aware of some three stories published in the Kutlwano magazine issue dated June/July 2019, whose contracts expired on March 31, 2019. 

He stated that the three freelance journalists who were affected were owed P8 274.00 and were paid on November 27 this year. 

“I am aware of a labour dispute matter mediated at the Francistown Labour Office on October 30, 2019, between a former youth freelance journalist and the Department of Information Services over money owed for an article published in the said magazine,” Mr Mthimkhulu said. 

He revealed that the outcome of the labour mediation was that the department should pay the freelance journalist who was involved in the matter that was mediated at Francistown on October 30 and the journalist had since been paid. 

Two officials from the department’s headquarters attended the mediation hearing, Mr Mthimkhulu said, flying to Francistown and returning to Gaborone on the same day, at a cost of P5 616 in air tickets. 

Mr Mthimkhulu was responding a question from the Member of Parliament for Francistown West, Mr Ignatius Moswaane who had asked if the minister was aware of some three stories published in the Kutlwano Magazine issue dated June/July 2019 after the contracts expired on March 31 2019. 

He also wanted to know the amount the freelance journalists who submitted the stories was owed and the number of freelance journalists affected as well as to what delayed payments for their stories. 

Mr Moswaane also asked the minister if he was aware of a labour dispute matter mediated at the Francistown Labour Office on October 30, 2019, between a former youth freelance journalist and the Department of Information Services over money for an article published on the said magazine. 

Furthermore, the MP asked the number of officials from the department’s headquarters who attended the mediation hearing; the mode of transport and the amount of transportation the officials used to Francistown. 

The legislators also enquired about the amount used on the officials' accommodation and the outcome of the labour mediation. ends