Headman accuses cllr of being Land Board puppet

Nnasaretha Kgamanyane | Tuesday July 15, 2014 12:57

Speaking during the councillor’s Kgotla meeting on Friday, the headman said he expected good news from the civic leader regarding the development of his ward. Instead, they keep on being called to discuss the same issues with no solutions, said the headman.

He charged that the Sub Land Board personnel dictated what the councillor should tell the residents.

“You are here today addressing us on issues that we know with no solutions. I wonder why you always shield those people when you have vowed to protect and serve the community members who elected you to be their voice. What I want to tell you today councillor is that I have realised that those people control you that is why you did not call them here yet you protect and answer all the questions referred to them,” said the headman.

Rantutu, whose family is among the multitude ofresidents who have been struggling to get a certificate for their home, told Jack that their role was to tell the councillor their worries so that he could go to the relevant stakeholders and see how they could resolve these issues not the other way. He said even though many people were willing to pay their fines their intentions became futile, as the Land Board had failed to assist them. He said that his parents’ home was one of the few first homes built in the area but they are still struggling to get certificates.

Rantutu accused the councillor of not acknowledging his community. He also said Jack was always clueless on what happens in his ward as he never checks on his people nor cares for them. He then warned Jack to be cautious of his actions against the residents, as he would never know what the future holds for him.

In response, Jack said that he did not call the Sub Land Board personnel to the meeting as the Member of Parliament (MP), who is also assistant Minister of Education Patrick Masimolole had promised to call another Kgotla meeting, at which Kweneng Land Board representative and other relevant stakeholders would address the community’s concerns.

“I don’t see anything wrong with answering questions that are applicable to issues that I am familiar with. All the comments and answers that I gave in this meeting regarding the Sub Land Board are issues that I am familiar with. The reason why I hesitated to answer some questions referred to the Sub Land Board is because I want you to wait for them to answer for themselves as the MP stated in the previous meeting,” he said. However, Jack told the gathering that whoever has pending land issues could consult him so that he could take them to the Sub Land Board.

Furthermore, he blamed the development delay in the area on the residents saying that they refuse to abide by the law making it hard for the Sub Land Board to do their job. He noted some things making it hard to progress was the refusal by some residents to move pegs and resisting to move from the yards where developments such as roads have to be undertaken.

He pleaded with the resident to cooperate with the authorities so that developments could be brought to their ward.