Monarch kgosi bemoans absentee councilors

Lesedi Mkhutshwa | Thursday January 26, 2017 15:32

He indicated that the absence of councillors fuels the challenges that the community is currently facing.  He added that they encounter ill-mannered behaviour by youth and a high crime rate in Monarch because councillors have abandoned their duties and there is a lack of co-operation between authorities.

Moses noted that councillors in his area have turned a blind eye on the community they serve by not bringing developments.

“How do they represent us in council if they do not know anything about our hardships? We need leaders who will contribute towards the development of our community,” he said.

He revealed that Monarch West councillor, Godfrey Kaelo was once devoted to his duties, but has recently backslid, as there is no trace of him at kgotla gatherings.

“Kaelo was once committed to his work by contributing fresh ideas during meetings. But nowadays he is dragging his feet, which hinders growth in the area,” he said.

Responding to Moses’ allegation, Kaelo who was present at the meeting said that he would strive to be part of all the kgotla meetings.

“I haven’t abandoned my duties and my wish is to attend each gathering. But I have other commitments in the council because I represent the whole Francistown at the chamber,” Kaelo said.  He apologised to Moses and the rest of the community for abandoning them.

Moses, who said that they do not know some of the members said to be representing them in council, added that they need the councillors’ input at meetings to make a difference in the livelihoods of people in the society.

“We don’t know the specially elected councillor. He has never set foot here during meetings, but he says he is representing us in the council,” he said.

He said that the councillors are not playing their primary role of representing their wards and the people who occupy them.

Before Kaelo’s apology, Moses had disowned the councillors stating that they are not part of their society.

“Please don’t lie to the people during council sessions.  You don’t know anything about our difficulties and we don’t recognise you as our leaders,” Moses said.

He indicated that the behaviour is also popular amongst some of the Ward Development Committees (WDC) because they have in the past shown similar conduct.

Moses said that some of the WDC members do not attend official gatherings. He added that they are bad leaders because they are not willing to do their job. The customary court president still pleaded with both councillors and WDC to begin attending kgotla meetings for the betterment of the society.