Cllrs haggle over new committee positions

Patricia Edwin | Tuesday March 18, 2014 12:16

The council failed to reach a decision when councillors argued over who would be capable of chairing the committee. While on the one hand there were those arguing that the committee should be chaired by a professional, others insisted ordinary civic leaders were just as capable.

The selection of this committee comes after the permanent secretary in the Ministry of Lands and Housing Thato Raphaka announced at the last full council meeting that new Country and Town Planning Act would be in full effect next month.

Raphaka stated that the new Act gives councils full authority on planning purposes of their cities, and therefore a committee consisting of councillors and experts from the community should be nominated by April.

The councillors met yesterday at a special full council meeting to nominate two councillors who would serve on the committee. Councillors Kays Phitshana and Stanley Masalila were elected to be on the committee, with the former as the chairperson.

But after names of community representatives, expertise in different fields such as environment and land survey, were read out, the objections arose.

Councillor Professor Lazarus Tlou opposed the two councillors’ nomination saying they were not suitable for the positions.

“We have to look at our credentials because this is a special committee that is technical and so as councillors we also have to look at ourselves,” he said.

While insisting he was not undermining colleagues’ abilities. Tlou said there was nothing wrong with choosing a technical attuned individual, such as former mayor Shedreck Nyeku, to chair the committee.

He said that the committee needed people of high calibre for the benefit of the country and the city.

Councillor Robert Mosweu also shared the sentiments saying that the committee is too technical and needed people with high technical knowledge.

However, Tlou’s comments did not sit well with most councillors.

Councilor Steven Michael said that when councillors were voted in to council it was because they were capable.

“Phitshana is capable and strong enought to lead this committee. Sometimes when we speak we should put politics aside and do what is best for the city of Francistown. It would be painful for this committee to be led by someone else who would not be giving us feedback constantly,” he said.

 He said that there was no objection when Masalila and Phitshana were elected so it is sealed. Councillor Raoboy Mpuang also said that Phitshana was capable of chairing the physical planning committee.

Councillor Tabengwa Tabengwa expressed surprise that there was a call for councillors to have expertise to lead the committee.  “Masalila has been chairing the SHHA committee and doing a wonderful job and besides we are never too old to learn and they will also be learning there,” he added.

Phitshana also defended himself saying that the people voted for him because he is capable and that he has chaired a lot of committees.