12 Nov 2013

The Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Mr Peter Siele has told Parliament that the criteria used to nominate councillors is that of nominating an individual who will bring value, skill and knowledge to the council.

The minister said he appointed, per section 18 (1) of the Local Government Act, 2012 to fill a vacant seat of a member of the council for both elected and specially nominated councillors which became vacant within three months of the vacancy having occurred.

Mr Siele said the recommendation to the vacant post of the specially elected councillors was by the district commissioner and the council secretary having consulted all the relevant stakeholders.

He explained that he appointed the nominated councilor for Tati Siding in North East effective September 1, 2013 to replace the one who resigned on July, 31 2013 as per the recommendation from the district commissioner and the council secretary. The minister said the two did not swap because the councillor resigned on June 20, 2013 which activated the process of nomination.

MP for Francistown South Mr Wynter Mmolotsi had asked the minister to state why two councillors were nominated at Tati Siding after the 2009 general elections. He also wanted to know what motivated the ministry to replace the councillor who resigned with a person from the smallest ward in the constituency.

Mr Mmolotsi further asked what procedure was followed to nominate the Tati East constituency officer who swapped the positions with the councillor who resigned and whether the swapping of the two served the interest of Batswana or individuals. ENDS