Mayor visits principal chiefs

By Masilo Malakwane

MAKHOLOKOENG –The Executive Mayor of Maluti-a-Phofung local municipality Gilbert Tjhopo Mokotso this week paid courtesy visits to the three principal traditional leaders in the municipality, to discuss the municipality’s new development plans between them and Eskom.

The courtesy visits followed the council sitting of Monday, which resolved the adoption that Eskom should take full control of municipality electricity to try normalise electricity supply in the municipality.

Mokotso was accompanied by MMC responsible for Special Programs and People Living with Disability, Ellen Mofokeng.

He shared ideas with Chiefs Montoeli Mota of Batlokoa tribe, Moremoholo Mopeli of Bakoena tribe and Paulous Moloi of Bakholokoe tribe on the  municipality’s planned implementation of the flat rate payment and how it should be debated among the community to assist in settling Eskom’s current account.

Mokotso said the visit also enabled engagement on key issues like the relationship  between councillors and traditional leaders, proposition of hosting a traditional leaders summit to discuss the mushrooming of new traditional leaderships and land expropriation within the municipality.

“I heard them and their concerns. We will ensure that we attend to those issues that they have raised,” said Mokotso.

On the issue of allegations reports of the Councillor of Ward 01 Mandlenkosi Dlamini undermining the Kholokoe royal house, Mokotso said he will engage the Speaker of the Council regarding this matter.

“It’s not the first time we heard of complaints about the behaviour of Cllr Dlamini. We have seen it even in the council sittings. But I will engage the Speaker, Paratlane Motloung and try to mediate this feud involving the councillor and the Kholokoe royal house,” said Mokotso.

Meanwhile, Principal Chief Mota, welcomed the Executive Mayor’s courtesy visits and  hailed it as a route that the municipality should take in sustaining good relations with the royal houses and their peoples.

“We really appreciate this gesture and hope it’s not the last. We also hope he’ll look into our proposals and address them,” said Mota.

He further touched on the issue of including communities in deep rural areas in municipal projects and re-introduce the Mayoral Committee members and their planned programmes.