In the sixth meeting of the second ‘Ntlo Ya Dikgosi’ (House of Chiefs) that was held last week, the Dikgosi fired numerous questions at the Minister of Local Government, Lebonaamang Mokalake, at the same time requesting for development in their communities.
Amongst the issues the Dikgosi raised were whether or not the Tribal Administration Offices will be provided with security (burglar bars and or watchman), the need to upgrade the Dikgotla (ward), road constructions (access roads), the posts of Headman and supply of Tribal Administration with transport.
Minister Mokalake stated that due to financial problems, some requests, such as Headmen‘s posts, had been resubmitted for the next financial year. Mokalake said as for transport, it can be hired from the Central Transport Organization or borrowed from other Government Departments, even then only when necessary.
He said some projects, such as roads, had been deferred due to financial constraints.
Mokalake explained that Ministries or Government Departments had agreed that when changing Government convoy between districts, they inform the Central Transport Organization about such an arrangement for purposes of smooth transfer of Government assets between ministries.
Mokalake indicated that Dikgosi Dikgotla are upgraded on recommendation by Dikgosi under whose jurisdiction they fall.
On the issue of security, he said positions (watchman) had been requested again through the 2012/2013 financial year.
“There is, however, an ongoing exercise of fitting Tribal administration Offices with burglar bars for security,” he said.
In their Local Government Bill 2011, Dikgosi also made resolutions that qualification for members of the Council is that they should be able to read and write and for the records of the meetings to be kept and for the meeting to be conducted in both Setswana and English so that everyone would understand.
Dikgosi also agreed that prior consultations be taken with the community in decision making. They outlined that the Kgosi (chief) is allowed to be a member of the Village Development Committee (VDC) so that he becomes part of the resolutions taken.
