20 Jan 2014

Residents of Dibete in Central District have been told that the headman vacancy post is yet to be filled.

Speaking during a kgotla that she addressed recently, Assistant Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Ms Botlogile Tshireletso said right channels should be followed to have a chief in the village.

Villagers had raised a concern that the former Dibete headman, who retired in December 2013 had brought somebody from Mookane to be their chief, an act that they did not approve.

They argued that the village had capable villagers who were able to take up the position without anybody from outside being imposed on them. They said the former headman was voted into chieftainship and now that he had retired, they should be allowed to vote the next chief.

Ms Mpho Daniel stated that the village wanted a person of their choice as a chief. Ms Daniel said the village had capable people, who could be able to take the headman position and therefore, would not accept any outsider as their chief. Another resident, Mr Israel Nnoki said by voting the former chief, that means their chieftainship could nott be passed over to a person from another village. The village had to vote its own headman.

Ms Tshireletso assured villagers that proper procedures on consultations should followed, adding that Dibete was an independent village and so they must choose their own headman. ENDS