Councillors advised to register for medical aid

CALISTUS KOLANTSHO
Correspondent | Monday January 17, 2011 00:00

 

The call came from Patick Manthe, a member of Botswana Association of Local Authorities (BALA) Executive Committee responsible for programmes, during a special full council meeting that was held last week to introduce the Mmasepala Wealth Plan.

Manthe said it was shocking to learn that some councillors are not under any medical aid scheme.

'You welfare is priceless. You cannot be shining when your welfare is in tatters. It is painful to see councillors failing to take care of themselves,' he said.

Regarding the Wealth Plan, Manthe said it is meant to offer councillors an opportunity to invest and have a funeral cover extended to their families. He added that local government employees have also been included in the plan. He explained that councillors have been complaining over the years that they did not see the importance of BALA hence the association has come up with this plan.

He said the plan is also extended to councillors who do not make it to council after elections. Manthe observed that it is embarrassing to find councillors becoming destitutes at the end of their term. He said upon death, councilors must be given a decent burial and that can only happen if they have an insurance policy.

Manthe said they want to promote the culture of saving amongst the local authorities. 'You should not just join the plan without having thought about it. It is a matter of affordability. You must also understand how the plan works before joining it,' said Manthe.

He cautioned councillors on making the mistake of joining the scheme and failing to see it to the end. He stated that if one cancels the contributions before the end of the plan, they would not be refunded. Manthe also told councillors that Mmasepala is the cheapest policy in the insurance industry and it is a golden opportunity that they should not miss.

Metropolitan Sales Manager, Gomolemo Mothusi explained that the funeral scheme is linked to the investment scheme and runs for 10 years. He said a member pays monthly premium of P200, of which P23.30 goes towards the funeral cover while P176.70 goes towards the investment premium. Mothusi explained that the member has the right to make claims before the end of the policy term. He said a member will be entitled to a package worth P20,000, spouse and children between 16 and 21 years will also get P20,000. 'You can pay a lump sum of your premiums at the end of your five year term from your gratuity to avoid the scheme lapsing,' he said.

Botshabelo West councilor, Kosy Mashaba, said the scheme was a welcome development. He suggested that the scheme be tailor made for five years. He complained that paying a lump sum from the gratuity will simply kill them because the money is not much. 

Kgakagamatso Ramatlopi of Botshabelo East said the scheme will rescue them from suffering when their term ends. He said some former councillors are suffering because they have no money.

Another councillor, Melee Molathegi, of Botshabelo Central complained that the premium was high because councillors have other commitments such as paying instalments for their vehicles.

'BALA must come up with programs to assist councillors because they are suffering. Their lives are different from those who MPs. The association must come up with a medical aid for us. We can't afford to pay high medical bills at private hospitals and that is why councillors die in large numbers,' said Molathegi.

Councillors were also urged to improve the state of government hospitals by coming up with motions that call for the upgrading of the facilities.