29 Nov 2018

Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development does not have an act that guides and regulates Headmen of Arbitration.

Assistant Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Ms Botlogile Tshireletso said Headmen of Arbitration were currently governed by a code of conduct.

Her ministry, she said, was currently reviewing Bogosi Act to incorporate Headmen of Arbitration within the statute, including their duties and responsibilities.

She said they were paid an allowance at B2 bottom notch scale which was payable every month, adding that they were not considered government employees given that they did not enjoy all services offered to government employees.

She said they were established through a presidential directive, and that they were encouraged to revive their dikgotla so that they did not attend people at their respective compounds given that government did not build them offices.

Ms Tshireletso said there were 105 Headmen of Arbitration in Boteti Sub-district with 14 in Letlhakane, 15 in Rakops, six in Mopipi, 10 in Xhumo and eight in Mosu and Motlopi while Kedia and Moreomaoto had three each.

She said Khumaga has five Headmen of Arbitration, four in Toromoja, Makalamabedi  six, Madikola eight, Makgaba one, Mokoboxane has seven while Xere, Kedia, Mmatshumo, Khwee, Mokibilo and Mmea have two each.

She said the criteria used for installing Headmen of Arbitration, was prescribed under Section 22 of the Bogosi Act which emphasised on consultation with morafe who would make recommendations to the minister for appointment.

She noted that Section 22(1) stated that a kgosi may, after consultation with the people of the area at a kgotla in the customary manner and with the approval of the minister, recognise any person designated by his or her tribe as kgosana in respect of the area of his or her tribal territory or tribal area.

Headmen of Arbitration, she said, were not issued with any form of stamps as they were not permitted to endorse any document. She said their primary duty was to arbitrate over civil issues and make recommendations for the matter to be presided over by kgosi at the main village ward. 

Boteti East MP, Mr Sethomo Lelatisitswe had wanted the minister to explain the duties of Headmen of Arbitration and which act regulated them. He also wanted to know whether they were considered government employees. ENDS