22 Aug 2016

Government still values dikgosi as custodians of culture and social cohesion.

This was said by the Assistant Minister of Local Government and Rural Development Ms Botlogile Tshireletso when addressing Mahalapye East Tribal Authority leadership in Mahalapye recently.

She said the role of dikgosi amongst others included delivery of justice at customary courts, promotion of unity and moral integrity in their respective communities as well as promotion of culture and provision of a platform for community consultation and community developments.

Ms Tshireletso therefore urged them to be actively involved in the affairs of their communities and to show concern over issues that are harmful to cultural practices.

She said government was currently working on how powers of dikgosi could be enhanced within their respective jurisdiction.

She said teenage pregnancy, vandalism, drugs and alcohol abuse were challenges bedeviling the nation.

Therefore, the assistant minister said it was important for dikgosi to reflect on these issues with relevant stakeholders to find solutions.

She noted that although there was shortage of funds, her ministry was doing all it could to ensure that the customary courts had all the necessities that would enable them to run efficiently and effectively because the kgotla was the centre where various services were offered.

She therefore noted that they have prioritised allocation of vehicles, network connectivity, maintenance of facilities, construction of offices and capacity building in dikgotla.

Therefore, he encouraged them that for them to be taken seriously and for communities to respect them they should refrain from this.

For their part, the Mahalapye tribal leadership decried that corporal punishment be practiced to help curb so many ills which affect their communities like theft common, assault common, rape cases, stock theft among others.

They said it was high time government strengthened their powers so that communities could take them seriously and start respecting them.

The ministry deputy permanent secretary Colonel Duke Masilo explained that indeed the government was doing something to enhance the powers of dikgosi .
Colonel Masilo said there were many issues surrounding bogosi and recently they held numerous meetings to try improve on that. Ends