01 Mar 2016

Okavango Sub-district councillors have boycotted the North West District council meeting which started on Monday until the issue of the Shakawe service centre is addressed.

During the council session in Gumare, Okavango councillors said they wanted an explanation why the service centre, which was to be built in Shakawe, has not been constructed.

They requested the North West District Council chairperson and the council secretary to address them about the construction of the service centre as a matter of agency.

Presenting the motion, Gumare/Tubu North councillor, Mr Mpoke Karapo said he suspected that the tender for the construction of the Shakawe service centre was cancelled without them being informed.

Supporting their colleague’s motion, councillors said it was important to request the council chairperson and the council secretary to address them before the council meeting in Maun begins.

This was to prepare them to forward their recommendations to the council about the service centre. In response to the request of the Okavango Sub-district councillors, the North West District Council explained that they could not address the sub council as per their request because they were still engaged in a council session and that both the chairperson and council secretary were pivotal throughout the session.

The Okavango councillors then resolved not to attend the council meeting in Maun until they were addressed. They said the North West District Council should  take their decision seriously as they were representing the community.

The Okavango Sub-district council meeting which started on February 22 was expected to end on February 26. The meeting, however,  continued as they waited for the response from their headquarters.

Meanwhile North West District council chairperson, Mr Reaboka Mbulawa said they he did not receive any formal communication nor any apology as to why the councillors did not turn up for the council meeting.
He said if there was any issue, the chairperson of the sub council could have communicated with him.

He, however, said their absenteeism did not affect the deliberation of the council as those who were present formed a quorum.
“I had a successful council proceedings and we could not adjourn the meeting just because part of the councillors did not show up and failed to forward their reasons.

Our standing orders allow us to proceed with the meeting if we form a quorum,” he added.
Asked about his visit to the Okavango Sub council meeting, Mr Mbulawa explained that he went there to discuss some issues which they concluded amicably.

He distanced himself from the said reports, noting that he could not respond to allegations which had not been confirmed. He said all he knows was that  sub council deliberations were successfully  and completed last Friday.  Ends