18 May 2017

Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) duo Messrs Peter Williams and Ketshwereng Galeragwe have retained their positions as chairperson and deputy chairperson of Central District Council (CDC) respectively.

The two retained their seats at a Special Central District Full Council meeting in Serowe on May 17.

Councillor Williams of Tholodi Ward, in Tonota Sub-district, got 103 votes from a total of 174 votes defeating Concillor Bantlhasetse Meremetse of Otse Kodibeleng Ward in Mahalapye Sub-district, who got 69 votes.

Two votes were unused due to two absent councillors.

His deputy, Councillor Galeragwe, who is Letlhakane councillor from Boteti Sub-district garnered 102 votes, defeating his opponent, Councilor Gabagopole Sebele, who was voted by 69 voters, out of a total of 174.

Two were recorded as unused.

Mr William’s will serve for a further two and a half years, bringing the number of years he has served as council chair to 10. He ascended to the position in 2009.

In an interview, Mr Williams vowed to continue with his five-year roadmap as it was incomplete.

“My five-year plan, among others, is to advocate for councillors’ rights, improve contact with the community, improve efficiency and effectiveness by providing services to the districts,” he said.

The newly elected chair said councillors were aggrieved by lack of accommodation, adding that he was determined to fight for their welfare, which included salary increment.

“I have raise the motion in the past and for the third time now, it has received overwhelming support of about 100 councillors,” he said.

He said CDC remained the largest council in the country, but was faced with lack of funds, since it was always allocated less funds.

“The CDC is vast, but it is the worst in terms of allocation of funds, and most of which are used for the destitute programme,” he said.

He said one of the challenges they were faced with, included public officers reluctance to implement projects.

“We have projects, but our main challenge is implementation of such by public officers,” he stressed.

Mr Williams commended Ipelegeng programme, saying it was one of the best initiatives, despite being abused by beneficiaries.

He thanked councillors for, according him, once again the challenge of running the CDC.

For his part, Mr Galeragwe expressed his delight following re-election and thanked fellow councillors for their support.

The deputy chair highlighted that there were more duties and functions, which needed to be conducted by CDC.

Mr Galeragwe urged councillors to set their differences aside and work together.

“I take it that you have all voted for me, therefore I shall be working with all of you diligently towards the development of CDC,” he said. ENDS