Moruakgomo urges councillors to behave
Chakalisa Dube | Wednesday January 28, 2015 10:49
Moruakgomo was speaking at the organisation’s elective conference on Friday. He said over the last few years’ councillors council chambers around the country had become a place where councillors engage in silly banter, conflicts and debates.
He gave as an example “unjustified motions of no confidence targeting those who hold key positions such as mayors and council chairpersons”. He said this greatly eroded council’s reputation and undermined their integrity.
“We have to improve the integrity of our organisation as we begin our new term (2014-2019). We should not engage in silly conflicts, as they are a waste of time. We are civic leaders; let us respect ourselves in order to gain the respect of the right-thinking members of the society. We have to turn our chambers into places of repute,” Moruakgomo said. “ Instead of tabling motions of no confidence let us work together harmoniously and augment each other’s weaknesses and skills,” he added.
Since the 2009 general elections councils have been dominated by motions of no confidence particularly those targeting major council political leaders such as Gaborone, Francistown, Selebi-Phikwe and Kgatleng. In the most notable incident that grabbed headlines, Francistown central ward councillor Ephraim Maiketso was ousted as Mayor in September 2012, three months into his term and replaced by James Kgalajwe. Kgalajwe would later tell this publication that Maiketso had done nothing to be ousted. He said that political games influenced his decision to team up with other councillors to oust Maiketso.
Prior to being appointed mayor Maiketso had ousted Stanley Masalila in the position of deputy mayor.
Former Selebi-Phikwe mayor Lekang Mukokomani was also ousted from his position in 2011 through the controversial motion of no confidence.
In recent years the council chamber in Francistown has also turned into a house of anarchy, where councillors easily hurl insults and obscene words at each other. In 2012 police had to be called to the council as the councillors displayed unruly behaviour in the chambers and nearly exchanged blows.