03 Apr 2025

The Ministry of Local Government and Traditional Affairs relies on the Ministers and National Assembly Gratuities and Pensions Act (CAP 02:04) to determine the scale and scope of terminal benefits for councillors.

Answering a question in Parliament yesterday, the Minister of Local Government and Traditional Affairs Mr Ketlhalefile Motshegwa said that the formula was derived from the aforementioned Act. He added that 30 per cent of the current monthly salary for the different positions held was multiplied by the number of months completed by the member in each position during such a term.

Mr Motshegwa said the 30 per cent of the average of ward allowance was paid in respect of different categories multiplied by the number of months completed by the member during such term. He further said the total gross payment for councillors’ terminal benefits was P284 886 143.52 for 605 councillors for the term of 2019 to 2024.

The minister said the ministry was aware of some queries arising from councillor terminal benefits paid, and these were resolved following clarification on the payment method used, except one case registered before courts of law where five former Gaborone City Council councillors were suing the council on the basis that the formula used was inappropriate.

MP for Kgatleng Central, Mr Mpho Morolong had asked the minister to state the criteria and format used to calculate terminal benefits of councillors, the total amount of terminal benefits for the 2019- 2024 councillors and whether there were unresolved queries surrounding their terminal benefits. ENDS