11 Jul 2021

Parliament has rejected a motion requesting government to consider paying councillors an outstanding salary increment of six per cent effective April 2020. 

The request, tabled under a motion of urgency, was rejected given that government was still to appoint a commission on Parliamentarians, Ntlo ya Dikgosi and councillors conditions of service.

Maun East MP, Mr Goretetse Kekgonegile tabled the motion on Friday, proposing that Parliament should suspend its discussions to allow for debate on a motion of urgent public importance as per Parliament Standing Order No. 50.

Mr Kekgonegile said councillors deserved an instant salary increment if they were to continue rendering their services to the public. He said there were over 400 councillors across the country who served the rural populace under adverse conditions.

“As per Standing Order No. 50, I move that the motion be treated as a definite matter of urgent public importance,” he stated.

Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Mr Eric Molale, dismissed the motion as a political gimmick and designed to make government look likem it was against increment.

Also, Mr Molale wondered why the motion singled out councillors when Paragraph 100 of the 2020/21 budget speech addressed different cadres.

He further dismissed the motion as out of order because it was not holistic to include all cadres, something he said defied logic.

He said the executive was aware of the need to increase councillors’ salaries after the Botswana Association of Local Authorities (BALA) was engaged on the matter. 

He noted that as the minister responsible for local authorities, he also wrote to councillors informing them why they could not get an increment given the prevailing fiscal conditions.

Mr Molale said as soon as there was an improvement they would be duly paid. 

Ghanzi South MP, Mr Motsamai Motsamai wanted the motion be given a chance because councillors played a critical role at districts level.

Mr Motsamai said they worked under adverse conditions hence needed some form of incentive for the services they rendered.

Gaborone North MP, also Minister of Employment, Labour Productivity and Skills Development, Mr Mpho Balopi also rejected the motion. 

He nevertheless acknowledged the importance of councillors, stating that they served as a bridge between government and the electorate at grassroots level.

Unfortunately, he said fiscal conditions were not favourable for them to be paid. 

Mr Balopi concurred with Minister Molale that the motion was not urgent, hence should follow the normal Parliamentary procedure.

A total of 25 MPs voted against the motion, 19 agreed, while 20 were absent. ends