10 Jun 2014

The second Palapye Sub-council session commenced this week with councillors rejecting three motions.

Councillors started by rejecting a motion tabled by nominated councillor, Mr  Dithapelo Tshotlego calling for the council to resolve to provide a temporary storeroom for bus rank traders as a matter of urgency.

Debating the motion on June 9, Mr Tshotlego said the council created a conflict with hawkers by removing structures they erected in areas they traded in. He said the council in addition took tables, chairs and coolers left by hawkers at the end of their business day and by so doing created tension between the two.


He said the council should resolve this by providing a temporary storeroom where hawkers could put their belongings after operation so that they would not have to carry them home.

He suggested that the council could use one of the vacant rooms at the department of fire, saying some of the things hawkers used were too big to be taken back home by taxis as such, adding that a storeroom will help in that regard.

Assistant council secretary, Mr Koti Molefi said he advised Mr Tshotlego on this motion but he insisted on tabling it during this sub-council meeting. He said the council could not use its fire department premises as the storeroom because all the rooms were occupied.

He further informed the council that there was no place where the council could construct that structure because the old bus rank was designated for a commercial mall.

The deputy chairperson, Mr Montshisi Thabeng said the mover of the motion did not apply himself fully as the motion was unclear whether the council should construct or secure a place that could be used as a storeroom.

He said standing orders stated that motions should be clear. He said the motion also had financial implications as it would compel the council to provide security at that shelter.

Councillor for Matolwane ward, Mr Opelo Modimowaitse said the motion was not researched as it did not specify the type of structure to be constructed. He also stated that hawkers sell different kinds of stuff as such the council would be forced to come up with a special structure to accommodate all those.

Councillor for Mogapi, Mr Joseph Dintwa said the motion wanted to reverse the decision taken by the council. He said councillors should understand that they are part of the decision taken by the council to remove structures put by hawkers, adding that councillors should be seen to be protecting the integrity of the council.

However, councillor for Lerala, Mr Kabo Ketshogile supported the motion saying that it would bring peace between the council and hawkers. He said a responsible council should help people. He added that there was no proper consultation prior to removing hawkers’ structures. Councillors Jordan Makhura and Florah Emmanuel also were the few that supported the motion.

Councillors also rejected motions tabled by councillor for Lotsane ward, Mr Lesego Setlhare who put forward a motion requesting Directorate of Corruption and Economic Crime (DCEC) to investigate what he called the malpractices of the Adjudication Committee in the tendering process.

They also rejected Mr Setlhare’s motion that sought the council to request DCEC to investigate allegations of malpractices at the Palapye sub landboard in the process of land allocation. One motion was withdrawn. ENDS