12 Mar 2013

The veterinary technical assistant who was stationed at Poloka was transferred in 2010 and was not replaced due to the general shortage of extension staff in the department throughout the country.

Responding to a parliamentary question on March 11, the Assistant Minister of Agriculture, Mr Oreeditse Molebatsi said the acceptable length of time to fill a vacant post was within three months.

He told members that in this case, there was no vacancy as the officer was transferred with the post.

“Posts are not allocated to extension areas and officers are deployed as need arises to various extension areas”, he said.

Mr Molebatsi said the arrangement was for the residents of Poloka to be assisted by an officer from the neighbouring Mookane extension area on weekly basis and as per request by farmers.

Parliament heard that a technical assistant for Poloka had been identified and he was expected to report in April this year. Mr Molebatsi was responding to a question that was asked by Shoshong legislator, Mr Phillip Makgalemele.

MP Makgalemele had asked the minister if he was aware that the veterinary officer who was stationed in Poloka was transferred three years ago and not replaced leading to poor and limited service to farmers in the area. He also asked the minister what was the acceptable length of time for the vacant post to be filled and for him to state the frequency of support provided to residents of Poloka during 2012. The MP also wanted to know when an officer would be posted to Poloka. ENDS