29 Oct 2026

Bobirwa District councillors have resolved that Sefhophe clinic be equipped and resourced to fit a 24-hour health facility tag .The resolution followed some engagements by scores of councillors, Monday, during a special council sitting for the swearing-in ceremony of Sefhophe ward councillor, Mr Mokwaledi Bagwasi. Even though some councillors, amongst other things, argued that the decision to launch the 24hr-clinic, October 14, when there were only few days ahead of the Sefhophe ward by-election, October 17, was a deliberate ploy by the Umbrella for Democratic Change to sway votes to their side, council secretary Mr Milton Keitshokile, however, rebuffed the claim. Instead, he put the delay squarely on resources constraints that hampered expedited implementation. Mr Keitshokile argued that the implementation should have been done in August after a communication from the Ministry. He also cleared that such a development was contained in the recent chairperson’s speech on health. Following some protracted debates, councillors called for a resolution, which, they said should be to the best interest of the people of Sefhophe, who had high expectations, they pledged. A resolution to equip and resource the health facility before reverting to the council’s priority list of clinics that needed to be upgraded to 24hr operations was birthed. Such facilities were identified as Borotsi, Mabeleng and Tsetsebjwe clinics. Additionally, a resolution was passed for the council to consult with and update the people of Sefhophe regarding the development. The councillors will then tour the facility upon completion of resourcing it. Already, the council has recruited five nurses, two of whom have already reported for duty, to ensure that the clinic was human-resourced, the council secretary reported. Since the clinic fell under the ambit of the Bobirwa District Council, councillor Mpedzeni Sam-Bandawe argued that the council had the responsibility of ensuring that the clinic matched the expectations of clients. Although they resolved to equipping and resourcing the council, some councillors pointed to the longstanding lack of communication that has left gaping wound between the political and the administrative wing. Councillor Moribame Moribame argued that had the council’s public relations unit led the communication and rebutted the allegations that the ruling party used the clinic launch as a campaign tool, the councillors would not have been up in arms over the matter. “In August, the ministry wrote to the council instructing that Sefhophe clinic open 24hrs, but one of your lieutenants slept on the job and failed to implement the instruction,” Mr Moribame said to the chairperson. He added that the council’s Public Relations office should have explained the coincidence of launching the clinic a few days before the by-election. Reiterating Mr Moribame’s claims, councillor Goitsemang Martin added that poor communication from the administration wing bred confusion and ignorance amongst councillors despite their several complaints. He also alleged that such poor communication was a calculated move to sabotage the council chairperson’s roadmap. BOPA