19th May 2026
Sello Motseta
The Manual Workers Union has slammed the unilateral temporary suspension of the Government Employees Motor Vehicle and Residential Property Advance Scheme(GEMVAS) loans by the Directorate of Public Service Management(DPSM).
It has also expressed outrage at the dismissal of an estimated 300 freelancers engaged by the state media without providing them with severance and gratuity benefits.
Robert Rabasimane, Deputy Chief Executive Officer, said “The Director of DPSM lied to the workers and the Minister of State President also deceived trade unions. The UDC Government led us to believe GEMVAS would be returned to the unions.”
He said, “They indicated that if needs be it would be subjected to a competitive bidding process. We believed that when the Government was close to beginning, we would be called for a consultative meeting. It however appears that they have made alternate arrangements.”
Union officials revealed that Government is currently embroiled in some negotiations with private partners to identify partners to provide loan funding for government employees acquiring houses and vehicles without a transparent and open bidding process.
It was revealed that because of government’s decision to terminate the programme, some state employees cannot repair houses damaged by recent floods and cars which incurred physical defects owing to accidents would be able to make claims to undertake remedial works.
According to union officials, an estimated P1billion is invested in an Insurance Fund, which should have been used by Government to assist state affected employees during temporary suspension who experienced hardships because of the decision by government to suspend services.
Dr Johnson Motshwarakgole, Trade Union Business Consultant, said “Government has dismissed about 300 freelancers without any benefits. They are paid P100 a day but some are not paid that allowance consistently. It has apparently been like this for some time. You cannot live in such suffering and keep quiet.”
He said, “They are entitled to leave and gratuity. We are in the process of seeking a legal opinion.”
