15 Dec 2019

Local authorities have a duty to drive transformation and economic empowerment within their jurisdiction, governance and development planning director general, Mr Mompati Seleka has said.

Speaking at South East District Council’s induction workshop for councillors recently, Mr Seleka said local authorities had to drive empowerment within their jurisdiction as per government’s agenda.

 “No one will transform your area, it is you, the government will only show direction,” Mr Seleka said, adding that it was upon the local authorities to have plans to transform their areas.

 Mr Seleka further said for the council to fully implement its mandate and develop its area, there had to be cohesion among stakeholders.

 Furthermore, he  said although councillors were established by an act of Parliament, their responsibilities went beyond what was prescribed in the law.

“People want services from you, even services beyond your mandate,” Mr Seleka told SEDC councillors.

 He said the council existed to bring services closer to the people to the best of its ability and added that as people’s representatives, they were key in linking the government and the people.

 He implored the councillors to have keen interest in all district developments and work with village development committees, saying issues passed through lower structures such as VDCs before they reach council.

SEDC secretary, Mr Nelson Mogapi, called upon councillors to help government fight corruption in all its facets.

He added that government took every opportunity to raise awareness about corruption as a way of making the country corruption free. Ends