05 May 2021

The Palapye  leadership has applauded government’s proposal to devolve powers and responsibilities to local authorities and upgrade the sub-district to district level.

They gave their support during a consultation meeting addressed by Assistant Minister of Local Government and Rural Development Mr Kgotla Autlwetse recently. 

The meeting was attended by dikgosi, village development committee (VDC) representatives and council authorities.

The village leadership requested government to consider upgrading Palapye to a town taking into account its level of development and the fact that it served as a service center for surrounding villages.

Mr Autlwetse said upgrading Palapye to town status would require looking into some legislative issues.

On the policy, he explained that its aim was to bring services closer to the people and expedite service delivery. 

He said development and population growth in villages across the country caused government to consider decentralisation and upgrading sub-districts to full-fledged districts.

Mr Autlwetse said the move was also meant to promote Public Private Partnership to benefit businesses at district level. 

Palapye MP, Mr Onneetse Ramogapi supported the proposed policy and praised the village authorities for supporting the idea.

He said through decentralisation, there would be progress.

Palapye Administrative Authority chairperson Ms Khumoyame Lekoko also welcomed the policy and expressed happiness that councils would be given authority to expedite service delivery. 

Councils, she said, would be able to utilise revenue support grant to bring development to their areas. 

For her part, Kgosi Martha Lebang of Palapye Customary Court commended government for consulting the village leadership on socio-economic issues such as the proposed decentralisation policy.

She also applauded government for its efforts in combating COVID-19.ends