05 Dec 2024

The task of headman of arbitration is to provide arbitration services at ward level to maintain peace and tranquility.

 The positions were established through a Presidential Directive CAB 8/2002 following a feasibility study. 

Minister of Local Government and Traditional Affairs, Mr Ketlhalefile Motshegwa informed Parliament on Tuesday that the ministry appreciated the role played by headmen of arbitration, and the need to resource them to perform their duties in a more dignified manner and conducive environment. 

However, he said consideration for resourcing headmen of arbitration through the provision of administrative services and/or delegate some responsibilities of tribal administration was constrained by the nature of their duties which was regulated by the above mentioned directive, which formalised their existence and consequently caused for them to be remunerated. 

According to the directive, headman of arbitration’s duty was solely to arbitrate and facilitate reconciliation, peace and tranquility at ward level, Mr Motshegwa said. 

He stated that the nature of service rendered by dikgosi tsa tetlanyo and the level of responsibility did not require them to be full time. Mr Motshegwa said they were currently remunerated with an allowance equivalent to bottom notch of B2 salary scale. He said the ministry would consider the review of such in future. 

He said consideration to review their conditions of service for the purposes of employing them on permanent and pensionable basis would be influenced by their nature of duty rather than numbers, which currently stood at 2 519. 

The role of headman of arbitration for now does not require administrative resources and or working full time but should the need arise in future, a review will be accordingly carried out, Mr Motshegwa said. 

Mogoditshane East MP, Mr Letlhogonolo Barongwang had asked whether the minister did not consider adequately resourcing headmen of arbitration through provision of necessary administrative services and delegating some of the responsibilities from tribal administration. 

Mr Barongwang also asked the minister whether he did not consider improving their conditions of service from part time to full time employment, to enable them better remuneration that would suit their status in the society. Ends