29 Mar 2015

The Vice President, Mr Mokgweetsi Masisi, has urged public officers including dikgosi to refrain from participating in politics.

Mr Masisi, who is also Moshupa-Manyana MP, was speaking at the occasion to celebrate the recognition of Tshwaane as a settlement on March 28.

He said the Public Service Act prohibited officers from active political party activities, emphasising that they should serve Batswana equally and  refrain from being against government policies.  He said Tshwaane was one of the settlements that were enlisted for demolition by the land board because the residents were alleged to have allocated themselves land.

Mr Masisi explained that the misunderstanding between government and Tshwaane residents was fueled by some public servants who wanted the ruling party to lose elections. He said he was advocating for the settlement to be recognised because he knew the area much better than those who opposed the idea.

The residents protested the land board decision and ended up taking government to the High Court as well as seeking assistance from President Lt Gen. Seretse Khama Ian Khama. The settlement was recognised last year after consultations.

Mr Masisi appealed to public servants to move away from participating in party politics so they could discharge their duties fairly and effectively. "Those who want to involve in politics should quit the public service and openly oppose government under the trees without confusing people,” he said.

Mr Masisi thanked the former minister of local government and rural development, Mr Peter Siele for defusing the Tshwaane problem. The Vice President appealed to the current Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Mr Slumber Tsogwane to also recognise Bikwe as a settlement which is also in the Moshupa-Manyana constituency.

For his part, Mr Tsogwane explained that the decision to recognised Tshwaane as a settlement came after his ministry and that of lands and housing completed an assignment they were tasked to assess of unrecognised settlements that were provided with services to determine which ones should be recognised.

He further explained that for a settlement to be recognised, it should have a minimum population of 500 people and 250 people for RADS.

“Our approach to national development planning is anchored on national principals of democracy, development, unity, self-reliance and botho. If you cultivate the spirit of self-reliance amongst yourselves, you will have a resilient community that is able to do things for itself, especially basic needs,” he said.

He thanked the Vice President for advocating for the settlement to be recognised. The minister informed the residents that disabilities allowance would commence beginning of April and started the programme by donating P600 to two students in Tshwaane.

Mr Siele appealed to residents of Tshwaane to start developments without any fear. He said he was the one who fought for them while still minister and thanked them for recognising his efforts by inviting him to the occasion. ENDS