12 Jul 2021

The retirement age for dikgosi and customary court presidents is 80 and 60 years respectively, says Assistant Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Mr Sethabelo Modukanele.

Answering a question in Parliament recently, Mr Modukanele said Section 23 of Bogosi Act CAP 41:01 provided for a kgosi who held office on permanent and pensionable terms to vacate at the age of 80 years or such other age as may be prescribed.

He said the minister could also exercise discretion to permit a kgosi who had attained the age of 80 years to continue in office for a period that might be considered appropriate.

Regarding chief representatives, Mr Modukanele said those appointed on permanent and pensionable basis were also required to retire at the age of 80 years unless the minister determined otherwise. 

Those employed on contract basis, he said, had their employment termination determined by contractual terms. Conversely, Section 8(1) of Bogosi Act provides for termination of their employment on a day to be specified by the Minister in order to recognize the rightful successor to Bogosi, he added.

As for customary court presidents, Mr Modukanele said since they were governed under Section 28 of the Public Service Act No. 30 of 2008, their retirement age was 60 years.

Answering a question on the age of the oldest serving kgosi or chief representative, Mr Modukanele said it was 71 and 72 years respectively while the oldest customary court president was 69 years. 

Specially Elected Member of Parliament, Dr Unity Dow had asked the minister whether there was a set retirement age for Dikgosi, Batshwarelela Bogosi and customary court presidents. If so, she wanted the minister to state the age.

Dr Dow also wanted to know whether there was a public document that stipulated procedure for appointment of customary court presidents. She further wanted to be appraised on the ages of the oldest serving Kgosi, motshwarelela kgosi or customary court president. ends