22 Aug 2024

 Local government has been cautioned against wasteful spending as the economy can no longer withstand lavishness.

Minister Honourable Kgotla Autlwetse of Local Government and Rural Development said this on Wednesday during a consultative meeting with the executive committee of the Botswana Association of Local Authorities (BALA).

The minister  called for financial discipline within local government authorities, adding that unnecessary benchmarking trips, retreats and purchase of expensive vehicles were a common phenomenon, which should be discontinued.

In some instances, he said local government authorities spent money on luxurious cars not suited for the purpose intended for and terrain.

Also, he said there were instances where unnecessary trips and spending led to clashes within the local authorities executive management, hence cautioned the BALA executive that the political wing of local authorities should not be seen telling people about financial constraints faced by the government whilst on the other hand act differently.

Mr Autlwetse said there was a circular from the Office of the President, which defined the standardisation of vehicles for public officers including council executive management, to curb misuse.

He therefore, called for mindset change to adopt prudent management of government resources.

On other issues, Mr Autlwetse informed the meeting that the councillors privileges, benefits and welfare national manual was almost complete.

He said the manual would attend to issues of councillors welfare and benefits in a holistic and standardized approach.

BALA president, Ms Florah Mpetsane said BALA reviewed constitution has been filed with the Registrar of Societies.

Ms Mpetsane said BALA also managed to submit a position paper during the national constitutional review exercise, which among others called for councils to be recognised in the constitution.The meeting was attended by among others, the ministry’s senior executives members as well as assistant ministers Ms Talita Monnakgotla and Mr Sethabelo Modukanele. Ends