SESUPO RANTSIMAKO
Just a few weeks after suspending its Secretary General, Lebogang Phillip, who was later reinstated following a court order, the embattled Botswana Nurses Union (BONU) has decided to suspend its president, Peter Baleseng, pending disciplinary proceedings.
According to a letter in the possession of Botswana Gazette, the BONU Central Executive Committee (CEC) resolved to suspend the president from performing his duties with immediate effect until further notice, while disciplinary actions against him are being progressed and concluded. This suspension, as stated by the CEC, follows allegations of misconduct in the performance of his duties as president.
Allegations of misconduct
Among the allegations of misconduct leveled against Baleseng are, but not limited to, abuse of office, unauthorized use of union property, failure to adhere to and observe principles of democracy and collective responsibility. Additionally, Baleseng reportedly neglected the business of the union by not attending CEC meetings without a valid reason. Moreover, according to the CEC, the suspended BONU president failed to maintain unity within the union membership and its structures, particularly the CEC. A segment of the suspension notice reads, “Therefore, the CEC resolved to suspend the president from performing his duties until further notice while disciplinary action against him is progressed and concluded, pursuant to article 18.3.4. Members are requested to remain calm while BONU leadership addresses this sensitive matter.”
During Baleseng’s suspension, the CEC has appointed Oreeditse Kelebakgosi as the Acting President.