SIELE PROMISES CLOSURE ON BAYEYI MATTER Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development has made all the necessary consultations as required by the law before reaching any conclusion on the issue of Bayeyi tribe. Responding to comments from councillor for Gumare North ward, Mr Motlamedi Moqwa, Minister Peter Siele said they had met all the parties to solicit their input adding that he would soon produce a documented report before vacating his office at the end of his office tenure. Addressing the North West District full council meeting, Mr Siele said Bogosi Act had defined what steps to be taken if any tribe wanted recognition noting that what was left was to consult internally with the affected parties and make a final decision. The minister said there was no minority tribe in the constitution of the country and challenged any tribe that felt discriminated to take up the issue with courts. Minister Siele said, “According to our constitution there is no tribe that is discriminated nor undermined, all tribes are treated equally.” He also condemned the use of words such as “Meratshwana” noting that they were against nation building. He called on Batswana to espouse the aims of Vision 2016 which calls for a proud and united nation rather than defining themselves along tribal lines. On other issues, Mr Siele informed councillors that the government has decided that royalties should be used by the Ministry of Environment, Wildlife and Tourism on issues related to environment and tourism. He said there was no how the council could claim the royalties and advised that instead the council should solicit ways to generate revenue for itself. Minister Siele said the government policy does not allow his ministry to pay back the P10 million which was used to pay some council staff during the transition of industrial workers to permanent and pensionable status. He said the council had to source money within its budget to pay its staff as per labour laws, adding that the council could only be assisted when its budget has been depleted. “There is no funds coming in the form of P10 million unless you have project shortfall of that amount,” he added. BOPA Cllr Moqwa had wanted to know how long the government would take to finalise the Bayeyi issue as they do not want to be ruled by Batawana. Bayeyi tribe wants recognition by the country’s constitution. This follows an issue in which Kamanakao Association from Ngamiland district went to court to have sections 77, 78 and 79 of the constitution amended because they deemed them discriminatory against some tribes. (BOPA)
Posted on: Fri, 04 Jul 2014 06:02:23 +0000
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