16 Oct 2022

Xaixai Tlhabololo Trust Community members have welcomed a decision to transfer their trust funds to a holding account for better management and accountability.

This transpired during a kgotla meeting addressed by North West District commissioner, Mr Thabang Waloka recently.

The meeting followed complaints by some trust members alleging maladministration by the board of trustees.

Members complained that the trust had changed since it started generating income and that board members had stopped consulting the community.

They claimed that the trust made P5 million from a hunting quota in 2021, but that there was no audit report presented to them and that no reasons were advanced.

Members of the concerned group also argued that the board’s term of office had long elapsed.

They also claimed that board members continued to spend money on travelling allowances and meetings without consulting the community.

They said board members recently travelled to Gaborone to attend a court case while the matter was actually held at the industrial court in Maun.

One of the residents, Ms Anastacia Marenga thanked the concerned group for submitting the grievance before the office of the district commissioner.

She said the board had never engaged the community since it was elected in 2018.

She said last year board members and some members of the village leadership took a benchmarking trip to Kasane, but there was no feedback given to the community.

Village Development Committee chairperson, Ms Vennae Keharara also said lack of consultation was a serious concern, saying the board sidelined the community.

She also claimed that board members were divided and marred with infightings.

The board, she alleged, had been working in isolation, saying even the village leadership was not engaged or invited to meetings.

For his part, Mr Waloka said the board was wrong to make decisions on finances without the community’s consent.

He said trust resources should benefit every household in the village.

He also noted that the role of the board was to oversee trust operations and to provide sound governance as well as to ensure that the public trust was upheld.

“You should be making sound decisions for the best interest of the community,” said Mr Waloka

He instructed the board to hold the annual general meeting on October 27 and to conduct elections of the new board.

The board was also advised to present the audit report during the AGM.

He said the new board would be drilled on governance before resuming duty for better management of the trust.

Mr Waloka also advised board members to work with the village leadership.

Area councillor, Mr Lelejwang Sokwe, advised members of the community to elect candidates who would take their trust and the village to greater heights.

He urged prospective candidates to refrain from buyingvotes with alcohol. ENDS