11 Apr 2021

 Assistant Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Mr Kgotla Autlwetse has told Parliament that the COVID-19 SHE representatives at Councils were appointed following the issuance of DPSM Savingram REF DP 19/72 VIII (33), dated May 11 2020.

He said the employees were chosen from the available staff within councils and assigned the duties of SHE representatives in line with the circular.

He said in making the appointments, due diligence was made to appoint where possible officers whose qualification and training were relevant or related to SHE functions.

Mr Autlwetse said out of a total of 38 SHE Representatives appointed across the councils, 16 had a Degree qualification while 10 had a Diploma in Public Health/Environmental Health or related field. He said the other 12 who did not have relevant qualifications had been offered five-day short courses on Safety Management at IDM to close their skills gap in relation to their function.

Furthermore, he said the Public Service Act and other prevailing statutes governing conditions of service for public officers did not provide for payment of risk allowance for any cadre, and therefore the COVID-19 SHE representatives in Councils were not paid any risk allowance.

He was answering questions from Nkange MP, Dr Never Tshabang, who wanted the ministry to explain the process of appointing of COVID-19 Safety, Health and Environment (SHE) representatives at Councils.

He also wanted to know whether those appointed had the requisite qualifications/training required for the risky job and if there was any risk allowance that came with the appointment. ENDS