01 Jun 2026

The Botswana International University of Science and Technology (BIUST) staff on Friday submitted a petition to the university council decrying the deteriorating state of governance, staff welfare, accountability, financial stewardship, institutional leadership and confidence in the university's executive administration.

Handing over the petition, the representative of the BIUST employees, Ms Amogelang Kerebotswe said for several years, employees have utilised formal internal channels but instead of receiving constructive resolution, the staff's grievances have been met with persistent management delays, selective implementation of decisions, and a distinct lack of institutional transparency and accountability.

She said because of a documented history of administrative retaliation such as the dismissal of whistleblower Dr Galani Malatsi, they demanded formal protection from victimisation, intimidation and retaliation. 

She also called for an open, protected dialogue and more rigorous oversight from the university council to restore accountability, fairness, and institutional stability.

She said following an arbitration award, BIUST management had committed to paying 2020/2021 Performance Management System (PMS) arrears but had later issued incorrect payments. 

Although management eventually admitted the miscalculations and promised to settle the balances, the timeline for the payments had been repeatedly missed, exacerbating financial distress and fuelling distrust among staff members, she said.

The BIUST staff are also demanding immediate transparency and the full settlement of the outstanding arrears, which remain unpaid despite a previous assurance of payment by the end of March 2026.

Ms Kerebotswe said given the current economic pressures of rising inflation and living costs, employees were requesting that the university council disclose the total initial liability and the allocated funding for the back-pays.

She said staff morale at BIUST was at an all-time low due to four years without cost of living adjustments, stalled academic promotions and the absence of a support staff promotion policy and this financial stagnation and lack of career progression amid a worsening economy had left employees feeling neglected and financially insecure.

Furthermore, she said, shift workers faced severe safety risks because the university failed to provide transportation, contrary to the Employment Act of 2025, coupled with below-standard shift allowances of 5 per cent, hence staff demanded immediate transport arrangements for off-hours commuting or formal negotiations for an adequate transport allowance.

Ms Kerebotswe said the systemic breakdown of governance reporting and responsiveness demanded direct accountability, raising serious questions about whether the current chairperson and council were fulfilling their mandate.

She said the university faced an ongoing challenge with a large pool of experienced temporary employees who had not been absorbed into permanent roles, despite serving for up to seven years with substantive positions remaining unfilled amidst a low overall staff complement.

They called on the university to officially absorb all temporary staff and establish a clearly communicated, permanent transition process. She also said they requested an unfiltered, open meeting with the council chairperson and the appointment of an interim leadership team to stabilise the university.

Receiving the petition, the chairman of the BIUST council, Dr Howard Sigwele acknowledged receipt of the petition and said that the university recognised and respected the right of staff members to raise concerns and appreciated their commitment to the growth, sustainability and excellence of the university.

He said the issues raised in the petition would be reviewed and given the attention they deserved. He said they would engage closely with management and relevant stakeholders to ensure that the matters were addressed in a structured and transparent manner. ends