15 Aug 2019

Public officers owing rental arrears to Village Development Committees (VDCs) across Tutume sub-District have been advised to act up or have the money recovered from their salaries this month.

Briefing on behalf of the District Extension Team (DET) at a recent District Development Committee (DDC) meeting in Tutume, principal community development officer Mr Lebonye Motlamma said VDCs were owed over P149 000 in their houses’ rental arrears.

He noted that they had since forwarded names of officers owing the money to their superiors at different government departments across the sub-district for deductions from their salaries.

He said in the case of the council staff whose debt amounted to P10 870, senior assistant council secretary had taken a decision to have the money deducted this month.

He stated that other departments such as Botswana Police Service whereby the amount owed by their officers went up to over P54 000, the names of the officers have been forwarded to the station commander.

He said there were some officers who have since left the sub-district and it had been agreed that arrangements would be made to have the money deducted from their salaries.

Mr Motlamma added that VDC made earnings through  rentals which were channeled towards other developments and maintenance of the houses.

Other departments on the list of those owing include Tribal Administration with the highest amount of over P62 500, District Health Management Team owes about P12 000 and education central government with P9 700.

For her part, deputy district commissioner, Ms Utlwanang Kerekang said it had come to their attention that officers owing the money were deliberately overlooking the clause on the lease agreement, which they signed prior of occupying the houses.

She thus tasked the affected department to act accordingly and have the money recovered.

She also urged the DET committee to assist the VDCs in coming up with better strategies of getting their payments on time going forward. ENDS