14 Mar 2017

Botswana Democratic Party led government cares for the welfare of the working class, Vice President and party chairperson, Mr Mokgweetsi Masisi has said.

Mr Masisi said in Tlokweng during the party’s star rally ahead of the looming constituency bye-elections that a comparison of the working class welfare by the time the country gained independence and after every ten years interval showed an improvement.

“And over the years, the BDP-led government has contributed money towards empowering the unions,” he said.

Amid all these, he said the party would continue to improve the welfare of the working class.

The Vice President noted that challenges facing the operation of the Public Service Bargaining Council would soon be sorted.

He said government would in due course award the public service a salary increment and it would continue to review salaries whenever the economy improves.

However, he pleaded with the landlords not to rush into increasing rentals when the workers get salary increment.

Mr Masisi, who is Moshupa-Manyana legislator, said the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC), which will be tussling with his party for the seat, has never offered any programme for the workers.

He said UDC lured voters through unrealistic promises, adding that BDP government was striking a balance between caring for workers and unemployed.

Therefore, he made an appeal to Tlokweng voters to vote for Mr Elijah Katse.

He said the party regrets events leading to the 2014 general elections, which contributed to the party poor showing in the constituency.

The party South East region chairperson, Mr Odirile Motlhale dismissed reports that there were factions within the party in the Tlokweng constituency.

He said such reports were peddled by people eager to bring confusion in the constituency.

The campaign manager, Mr Motshereganyi Tshoganetso said they were destined for victory.

He said they have already covered all the wards in Tlokweng and people were receptive of the party.

For his part, Mr Katse said he had on several occasion being assigned by Batlokwa and managed to deliver.

He cited the installation of Kgosi Puso, organising the annual culture day, Kgosi Puso’s wedding and leading Batlokwa Development Trust as some of the tasks he executed. Therefore, he said all these have proven that he can lead and represent Batlokwa.

Mr Katse will tussle for the seat with Mr Kenneth Segokgo of UDC during a date to be announced. ENDS