20 Feb 2013

The amendment of the Customary Courts Act is not necessary, Local Government and Rural Development Assistant Minister, Ms Botlogile Tshireletso has said.

Answering a question in Parliament, Ms Tshireletso said provisions of Section 7 (2) of the Customary Courts Act Chapter 04:05 was the relevant act which Dikgosi used to deal with cattle owners who allowed their cattle to wonder about unattended and destroying people’s crops.

She said Customary Courts gives Dikgosi unlimited jurisdiction and powers in matters of destruction of crops by cattle.

Ms Tshireletso was responding to a question from MP for Tonota North, Mr Fidelis Molao who had wanted the Minister to state the relevant Act which Dikgosi use to prosecute cattle owners who allowed their cattle to wonder about unattended and destroying other people’s crops.

Mr Molao also wanted the Minister to state whether the Act gave Dikgosi enough powers to deal with these matters more effectively and if the Minister would consider amending this Act to give Dikgosi more powers to effectively manage the problem. ENDS