01 Apr 2026

An  assessment across government departments in Masunga has revealed   that systemic challenges are affecting service delivery, particularly lack of progression, severe shortage of staff accommodation and staff shortages in key departments.

Addressing North East District full council meeting recently, Botswana Public Employees Union (BOPEU) Raphael Sikwane regional chairperson, Mr Tambona Jopi said other challenges were non-operational or inadequate transport.

He said dilapidated infrastructure, poor working conditions and staff overstay was another common challenge affecting service delivery across the entire district.

Mr Jopi stated that shortage of supplies, ICT equipment, shortage of office furniture, poor drainage and poor sanitation systems were challenges that could affect employees’ mental health.

“There are also problems like irregular implementation of regulations that includes per diem, acting appointments and overtime pay,” he said adding that these challenges were directly impacting efficiency, morale and public service delivery in the district.

Moreover, Mr Jopi indicated that there were some critical government departments in the district that were highly impacted and specified that the Department of Wildlife and Natural Resources had four vehicles that were currently grounded, resulting in their daily operations being severely affected.

He said the department was in dire shortage of staff as there was no administration officer, revenue officer and support staff.

“There is no air conditioning, furniture is old, no office space, shortage of computers,” he said, noting that the situation impacted human/wildlife protection, revenue collection and that field operations were almost paralysed.

Mr Jopi stated that at the Departments of Veterinary Services, and that of Crops and Animal Production, there were 67 employees, and six vacant posts, adding that the fleet had three vehicles which were not operational.

He said there was no revenue collector and that revenue collection work was being performed by veterinary officers.

Further, he said there was also severe office congestion as officers were sharing offices.

The impact has resulted in compromised agricultural support services to farmers affecting food security and rural livelihood development in the district, he said.

“At Masunga Senior Secondary School, 72 houses are fully occupied while 70 staff members are on the waiting list. There are 21 vacant posts, and there is severe shortage of infrastructure like classrooms, boarding facilities, offices, office equipment and 1 of 2 vehicles is defective,” said Mr Jopi.

He noted that the challenges were undermining staff welfare and compromised the quality of education and pupil welfare.

On other issues, Mr Jopi said there were no fire services at the district council and no Emergency Medical Services at Masunga Primary Hospital.

He said this exposed the district to serious risks in cases of fire outbreaks, and increased risks to human life in the event of medical emergencies.

Mr Jopi also said delayed response to fires, accidents and medical emergencies left communities vulnerable and unprotected.

For their part, councillors wanted to know whether the union had measures in place to protect its members from becoming financially embarrassed, especially since it also disbursed money to members through loans.

They also asked if BOPEU would consider selling shares to its members so that they could benefit from their membership through dividends.

Kgosi Maruje III cautioned trade unions against what he termed animosity amongst them, calling for them to build and promote a sense of trust. ENDS