Bobirwa Council Under Fire For Corruption

ONALENNA MODIKWA
Staff Writer | Monday November 5, 2007 00:00

Workers cheered when one them, Mooketsi Potedi presented copies of a circular which he said proved that the council is irregularly recruiting staff. The worker said nepotism has now turned the council into a family business. He said that it started last year with a circular seeking the services of two light duty drivers for Tsetsebjwe and Lentswe Le Moriti. However the council subsequently recruited four drivers.

The fuming Potedi wanted to know where the money used to pay the extra drivers, who were not included in the circular is coming from. He said that in another incident, a circular advertising openings for two sanitation officers for Bobonong and Moletemane resulted in over-recruitment. He condemned the removal of circulars from the notice boards before deadlines. He said that about a week after the removal of the circulars, new officers would be employed under unclear circumstances.

The meeting burst into deafening applaused when he called for thorough investigations into the council's activities. Later, Kgathi said that such a consultative forum should never be turned into a staff meeting like it happened. He said he will make sure the meeting focuses on developmental to improve services in Bobirwa. He said it is necessary to hold such meetings with different working classes to increase the level of accountability and enhance interaction with supervisors. He added that he is going to lobby for staff in the A band to be moved to a higher scale because workers are complaining about slow remunerations. Kgathi however urged workers not to despair but explore other ways of gaining promotion like enrolling for further education with institutions like BOCODOL. He said P2 million has been set aside for the design of Bobonong internal roads and a construction company has already been identified. He said the Mmamabaka border post that was scheduled for opening at the beginning of October will be operational by January next year. The workers applauded Kgathi for consulting them and for being available to address their grievances.

The meeting was called by Kgathi to give the workers feedback on grievances over work conditions they brought to his attention last year. Among others, the workers complained about unfair procedures on promotions and corruption. He urged workers not to report corruption in secrecy but to come out and inform the relevant authorities. He said corruption has the potential to harm the whole country.

He said he had been receiving reports day and night about the corruption in the council.

'We cannot avoid talking about corruption because it is embarrassing. There will be thorough investigations and those involved will have to face the wrath of law. It is evident that there is a problem and I assure you that if indeed there is corruption, we will uproot it completely because it reflects badly on our council.'

In response assistant council secretary Tshango Gulubane said it is clear that workers are unhappy with the employment procedures. He said when reports reach his office, they are assessed thoroughly and addressed. 'We have even issued reports on what happened. We have addressed so many issues.' He advised workers that if they are not happy with any employment procedure they are free to approach the heads of departments and follow the right channel up to his office. Gulubane said some cases that reach his office evidently show that there is a problem in the employment system. Such cases receive full attention.

He defended himself from accusations that his office delays pay for workers' claims. He said if he is not around to attend to the claims, another authorised officer would be available to do the job. 'When claims come, I assess to see if they are genuine. If not, I return them for clarifications.'

He advised workers to always report when they see corrupt practices so that perpetrators can be brought to book. Gulubane said it is true that more sanitation officers were employed. 'It is our issue. We have it in our office.' He added that the procedure is that different departments must hold meetings to address internal issues with their juniors. He said it is regrettable that he just learnt that such meetings are never held at the council. He promised to seek explanations from the heads of departments why such meetings are not held.