07 Sep 2017

Central District councillors have unanimously endorsed the acting appointment of Palapye Administration Authority Sub-council chairperson, Mr Lesedi Phuthego to lead CDC in the absence of council chairperson, Mr Peter Williams and his deputy Mr Ketshwereng Galeragwe amidst controversy surrounding wearing of chains.

Mr Williams is reportedly on sick bed and has missed the opening of the council sitting while Mr Galeragwe, who lost his voice in the previous days was preparing for a twinning and partnership trip to Guangzhou, China.

The void left by the two called for an acting appointment of which the councillors deemed Mr Phuthego fit to hold the office temporarily until September 15 when Mr Galeragwe would be expected to arrive from China.

Although the council consented to the appointment of Mr Phuthego, councillors differed on the next steps to take.

While some felt that Mr Phuthego should wear the chairman’s chain as the latter is a symbol of office bearing, some argued that the chain belonged to the council chairperson and his deputy.

The confusion and resultant controversy were born out of the absence of such a provision in the standing orders of the CDC.

Mr Gabagopole Sebele argued that the acting basis on Mr Phuthego accorded him enjoyment of full benefits of the office, inclusive of wearing the chairman’s chain and some monetary benefits.

Although Mr Phuthego found no wrong in conducting the council business without the chain, some councillors on Mr Sebele’s corner pressed and moved that Mr Phuthego don the chairman’s chain to afford him the honour accorded the office.

However, councillors were informed that a communication had been sent to the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development seeking clarification and determination on the issue, hence Mr Phuthego argued that the business of the council be left to move ahead.

In the process Mr Phuthego thanked his fellow councillors for showing faith in him by entrusting him with heading the biggest council, boasting 178 councillors.

He pledged to lead with due diligence and honour banking on the cooperation of his fellows.

He also urged them to adhere to standing orders in discharging their duties.

However, the same standing orders are said to be devoid on guidance on the acting appointments of councillors.

Council secretary, Mr Mokgweetsi Moswete told councillors that he relied on their wisdom to resolve the matter while still awaiting clarification from the parent ministry.

He too found standing orders to be silent on the matter, but argued that the deputy chairperson never wore chairman’s chain in the latter’s absence.

As a result, councillors called for legal intervention, where the CDC attorney, Mr Neo Kgothi too observed that standing orders were silent on the issue.

He clarified that the chairperson and his deputy took oaths of office before wearing the chains, unlike the acting councillor.

He found that the chains could not therefore be passed on to the next person.

However, his reasoning did not sit well with some councillors who argued that the attorney thrived on assumptions.

Meanwhile, the council awaits ministry determination on the matter. Ends