25 Nov 2015

Senior Assistant Council Secretary (SACS) Mr Koti Molefi has said that the Palapye Sub council cannot purchase a vehicle for the sub-council chairperson due to financial constraints.

Presenting a report of the task team assigned to look into the matter during the ongoing Palapye sub-council meeting on Monday, Mr Molefi said no vehicle has been designated for the sub-council chairperson, hence the decision for the chairperson and SACS to share a vehicle.

He argued that assigning a vehicle to the office comes with costs such as employing a driver. He further contended that the chairperson has a few office duties, which will result in the vehicle and driver being underutilised.

The task team recommended a budget amounting to some P14 000  for the chairperson’s office space, furniture and toilet, and that the project be done in-house. The task force comprised of seven staff members who visited Mahalapye Sub District to benchmark on how it runs its chairperson’s office.

The taskforce also relied on Council Standing Orders in relation to sub-council chairperson’s welfare matters.

The task team found out that the Mahalapye Sub Council Chamber was modified to provide the sub-council chairperson with an office inside the conference centre.
Palapye Administration Authority councillors had raised concern about the office accommodation, furniture and transport for the office of the sub-council chairperson, citing that the matter requires urgency.

Councillors had complained that the office of the council chairperson is not in a good condition and asked that his office be allocated a vehicle.

Following the taskforce presentation, most councillors felt that the issues of transport and office accommodation for the chairperson were not given due consideration.

However Lerala West ward councillor Mr Gabagopole Sebele said the chairperson’s office will require more space even after renovation. He said the council chairperson should be treated as a senior official by being provided with a spacious office.  Mr Sebele said he does not understand why the chairperson cannot be bought a new vehicle. Ends