03 Aug 2021

The Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development is in the process of appointing Kgosana at Moralane and headman of arbitration at Ikongwe.

That was said by assistant minister, Mr Setlhabelo Modukanele in response to a parliamentary question on Monday.

“I am aware of the vacancies that exist at Ikongwe, Moralane and Tobela. However, it is worth noting that Ikongwe and Tobela are arbitration courts. The latter became vacant following the passing on of its Kgosana on November 19, 2020 and consultations to facilitate filling of the vacancy could not be undertaken due to restrictions on mass gatherings,” Mr Modukanele said.

He added that the contract for headman of arbitration at Ikongwe elapsed on September 30, 2020 and still under consideration by the ministry.

Also, he told Parliament that the headman of record for Moralane village retired on June 6 this year and his request for contract appointment was still under consideration.

“The village of Moralane currently is being supported by Shoshong headman of record, while Ikongwe and Tobela are serviced from Shoshong Customary Court, and this arrangement has been made to promote law and order,” he added.

Shoshong MP, Mr Aubrey Lesaso had asked the minister if he was aware that Ikongwe, Moralane and Tobela villages in the Shoshong Constituency had been without chiefs for some time now. 

Mr Lesaso also wanted to know if there were plans to fill the vacancies in those villages.

He further wanted to know whether the serious challenges of law and order caused criminals to take advantage of the lack of leadership in those villages; and the minister was also to state  if the ministry would consider temporary extension of contracts of the past chiefs until permanent and substantive leaders were identified. Ends