19 May 2025

Community trusts board members have an obligation to account to members of the community they serve.

Addressing the North West District leadership consultation forum in Maun on Thursday, Assistant Minister of Local Government and Traditional Affairs, Mr Ignatius Moswaane said it was common practice among some Community Based Organisations (CBOs) to fail to call meetings to discuss the trust’s operations and financial statements. 

Some of the board of trustees, he said received millions in investment, yet only a fraction of the total was accounted for.

Mr Moswaane also encouraged members of communities to report acts of maladministration to the Technical Advisory Committee headed by the Office of the District Commissioner in their respective districts.

He further pointed out that the Community Based Natural Resources Management (CBNRM) was currently under review to ensure CBOs were in compliance with regulations and members legally bound by the law to manage public funds.

The assistant minister said the review of CBNRM policy would ensure Batswana benefited optimally from the natural resources in their communities and stimulate a sense of pride for them to play an advocacy role.

He said government intended to review and amend laws, some of which were enacted as far as in 1966 and were no longer applicable.

He further said government intended to protect Batswana such that their land was not taken from them unfairly.

He said tribes had the prerogative to decide what they wanted their land to be used for.  

Mr Moswaane also warned against individuals who claimed to assist communities by investing in their land whilst their intentions were to enrich themselves.

Wenela ward Village Development Committee chairperson, Mr Tshimatshe Monwela said community trusts should assist government in investing in education and other issues within communities.

He said Ngamiland was endowed with natural resources, which were managed by CBOs in their respective concessions that made millions of Pula.

He indicated that it did not make any sense that schools in Ngamiland would run short of food and stationery supplies when funds while community trusts had funds to help.  

North West District Council vice chairperson, Mr Vepaune Moreti thanked the Minister for the consultation assuring that as councillors they would ensure that local government impact was felt through projects that would stimulate economic growth.

He said he believed the council was strategically positioned to be a self-sustainable district because of its rich land and natural resources.

However, Mr Moreti stated that part of the tribal land in Ngamiland was in the hands of government, which impeded economic growth. ENDS