10 Aug 2015

Assistant Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Ms Botlogile Tshireletso has said they are aware that the Department of Tribal Administration was faced with inadequate resources in the form of transport, communication, staffing, office and staff accommodation which negatively affects their daily work.

Answering a question from Kgalagadi North MP, Mr Itumeleng Moipisi on Thursday, Ms Tshireletso said in an effort to remedy the situation, the ministry had taken a deliberate decision to focus more resources towards tribal administration.

She indicated that during the 2014/2015 financial year, 30 vehicles were replaced while 25 were replaced this financial year.

She added that maintenance to the tune of P50 million was carried out over the past three years on tribal administration facilities through the Department of Building and Engineering Services and councils and P4.6 million was to be used this financial year.

Ms Tshireletso further noted that Internet infrastructure was carried out during the last financial year to the tune of P4.5 million for dikgotla, district administration and food relief services offices, and more sites would be connected to the tune of P2 million for dikgotla only.

In addition, she said her ministry was still working with Botswana Public Service College to formulate a capacity building programme for Dikgosi which would be followed in future by a programme for the support staff.

Meanwhile, the assistant minister said the recurrent budget for tribal administration increased from P304 million in the last financial year to P357 million this financial year, with P4 million allocated for the procurement of furniture.

Mr Moipisi had asked if the minister was aware that the department of tribal administration in the country was “seriously” faced with inadequate resources in the form of transport, communication, staffing, office and staff accommodation which affected their daily work. ENDS