10 Apr 2019

Parliament has approved Ntlo ya Dikgosi Salaries and Allowances Amendment bill aimed to restore dignity to bogosi institution.

Presenting the bill, Minister for Presidential Affairs, Governance and Public Administration, Mr Nonofo Molefhi highlighted that the sole objective of the bill was to amend Ntlo ya Dikgosi Salaries and Allowances Act was to adjust the responsibility allowance of members by 10 per cent.

Contributing to the debate, Vice President, Mr Slumber Tsogwane highlighted that government continued to recognise the importance of dikgosi in the society and would strive to maintain a platform where they could discuss issues of national interest with the government and remunerate them accordingly.

Mr Tsogwane, who is also Boteti West legislator, also cautioned that government wage bill was regarded by many as over bloated and underwhelming.

He however highlighted that people should be cognizant of the fact that government was keen on improving the public service salary structures so as to motivate the civil service to go an extra mile in service delivery.

MP for Francistown South, Mr Wynter Mmolotsi applauded the proposed amendment, but urged government to further establish a commission of enquiry to review the entire public service salary structures.

Mr Mmolotsi said civil servants were integral drivers of the country’s economy, therefore they should be fully remunerated based on the important role they play towards economic growth and service delivery.

Some dikgosi, he said, had recently traded their throne for active political participation, something which he attributed to poor salary structure in the bogosi system.

Mr Mmolotsi further stated that traditional leaders had also off late been sidelined and their powers whittled, thus making bogosi irrelevant, hence he pleaded with government to fully consult with dikgosi on pertinent issues.

Selebi Phikwe West legislator, Mr Dithapelo Keorapetse applauded the proposed amendments, pointing out that it had been disturbing to note that the pride and poise of the kgotla setup and bogosi had diminished over the past years due to the dreadful working conditions and poor remunerations packages that Dikgosi had been faced with.

He said Dikgosi played a significant role in the administration of the country and they had shown leadership capabilities in the rule of law from pre-independence time, adding that it was befitting for them to be remunerated accordingly.

MP Keorapetse further reiterated the need to have a living wage policy guided by a minimum remuneration of at least P3 000 per month in order to be at par with the current high living standards. ENDS