Mochudi tribal staff boycott colonial offices

Lerato Maleke | Wednesday April 2, 2014 10:46

 

The boycott follows the issuance of a certificate on March 17 by the Department of Buildings and Electrical Services (DBES) explaining that the offices pose a health hazard and risk and can no longer be used.

The acting director of Tribal Administration in the Ministry of Local Government, Tumelo Seboko, acknowledged the existence of the DBES warning but said he could not force employees to use the offices. He said they are in the process of putting up tents while they wait for cash to purchase caravans. He stated that the employees cannot be paid risk allowance because he has never heard about this in government.

An employee who preferred anonymity said the two colonial buildings used by the tribal staff are in a bad condition.

It is reported that part of the ceiling is falling and therefore poses a risk to the employees’ health as it produces more dust. The painting, floor and doors are worn out.

The employees say the situation is very bad with spiders crawling on top of office desks and stationery when they are working.

“What we do is that we sit outside and only get inside when assisting people,” an employee said.

Two buildings with 14 offices used by the Tribal Administration staff for civil and criminal cases, civil registration and the deputy chief have been condemned by DBES.

It has emerged that the two colonial buildings built by the Bakgatla have not been renovated for some time since the bogosi impasse between the tribe and government.

At one point during a Kgotla meeting addressed by deputy chief Bana Sekai, the tribe said that the Tribal Administration staff should vacate their offices since government did not build them. The tribe suggested that they rent offices elsewhere since all is not well between government and Bakgatla royals.