The legislators made the remarks responding to the committee of supply presentation by the Minister of Local Government and Traditional Affairs, Ketlhalefile Motshegwa. MPs revealed that headmen of arbitration (dikgosana) currently hold their meetings with the public in the open exposed to harsh weather conditions which affects their ability to perform their duties efficiently.
The ministry has requested P14,7 billion which is made up of P11, 2 billion for the recurrent budget and P3,4 billion for the development budget.
Debating the presentation, legislators expressed the need for the ministry to prioritise the construction of kgotla shelters and toilets to provide a conducive working environment for the traditional leaders. Furthermore, MPs called for the review of the remuneration structure for Dikgosana, proposing that they be given salaries instead of allowances.
Legislators argued that the current system does not offer them financial security, leaving them vulnerable upon retirement. They appealed to the government to introduce pension schemes and other benefits to recognise their service to the nation.
“They serve their communities diligently for years, yet they retire with nothing, no pension, no benefits. We need to ensure that dikgosana are properly compensated and accorded the dignity they deserve. Ba letlanya batho mo lebaleng, ga gona di toilet, ha pula ena kana gole letsatsi tiro ya bone ya ema,” said Kgatleng East Mabuse Pule.
He shared the same sentiments that there is need for the government to consider building them structures so that they can serve and give the community the service they deserve. Pule emphasised that traditional leaders play a crucial role in conflict resolution, cultural preservation, community development issues, and as such their welfare should be a priority.
Sharing the same sentiments, MP for Bobirwa, Taolo Lucas said some of these dikgosana have been acting on their positions for years, being labelled as ‘Motswarelela bogosi’ something that should stop.
“They do not have the dignity they deserve, hence I plead with the new administration to look into these issues because most dikgosi are not happy at all,” he said.
Legislators further pointed out the need for the ministry to consider upgrading salaries of council secretaries, town clerks and councillors stating that they are doing a great job faced with so many responsibilities.
Kanye West MP, Victor Phologolo said for years councilors’ main concern has been their welfare because they are overwhelmed with duties in their wards. He said they are the ones who are always on the ground faced with responsibilities and electorates expect them to assist them whenever they need help despite it being during the day or at night with most of their help involving the use of money.
“They are also struggling because they do not have offices, they assist people at their homes hence pleading with Village Development Committees (VDCs) to consider giving councillors structures that they can use as their offices for the benefit of the community,” said Phologolo.
Moreover, MPs applauded the government to have recently relocated primary healthcare to councils in an effort to improve healthcare delivery. They collectively agreed that healthcare service delivery used to be quicker, easier when it was under the then Ministry of Local Government,adamant that this will improve service delivery and save lives.
Legislators said most people have lost their lives due to centralisation of healthcare services especially those residing in rural areas as they were forced to travel long distances to seek medical care, something which was not working in case of emergencies.
