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"id": 187334,
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"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Mr. Letimalo",
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"speaker": {
"id": 68,
"legal_name": "Raphael Lakalei Letimalo",
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"content": "Thank you, Madam Temporary Deputy Speaker, for giving me this opportunity to contribute to this very important Motion. While I agree with what the Minister said, I think the most important thing to note here is to understand the role played by the village elders in the management of public affairs in our society, and also to assess whether there is justification to remuneration. I would like to raise a few issues. We know from experience that there are cases where a position in a sub-location or a July 30, 2008 PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES 2217 location in the same administrative area can fall vacant. Experience has also shown that the Government takes a long time to fill these vacancies. So, the village elders are called upon to carry out these administrative duties. They render services. At the end of it all, they do not get any rewards or recognition. Madam Temporary Deputy Speaker, I also know that a decision was made by the Ministry of State for Provincial Administration and Internal Security that every chief be assigned, at least, five Administration Police (AP) officers to assist him, particulary in security matters. I also know that due to the shortage of APs, it was not possible to deploy, at least, five APs to every chief. Therefore, these duties have been taken by the village elders to assist the assistant chiefs and the chiefs. They even undertake security related issues, which can be very risky at times. We know that there are parts in this country where communication is really a nightmare. It is difficult. There are no telephones or mobile phones. The routine development activities and co- ordination must be carried out. So, the only reliable way to pass information are the village elders. In the process of undertaking such responsibilities, the village elders sacrifice their time, resources and energy. It will be unfair if they carry out such kind of duties and at the end of it all, they are not remunerated. Madam Temporary Deputy Speaker, I also know that the community policing was initiated because the Government could not deploy security personnel in every village. It became, therefore, important for the community to be involved in ensuring their security at the village level. The concept of community policing units has been successful at the village level because of the co- ordination of the village elders. Having worked with the Provincial Administration, I know that the community policing was not launched by the Provincial Commissioners or the District Commissioners. That is an indication that the Government really recognises the role played by the village elders. So, it is a matter of putting in place that structure and enforcing it. As it has been said, truly, village elders are really instrumental in the enforcement of law and order and also in gathering information. I am saying this because in any public gathering, whether political or social gatherings like wedding ceremonies and funerals, where administrative officers may not be able to attend, certainly, a village elder will be in attendance. Therefore, all the proceedings of that gathering, political or social, will be communicated to the authorities concerned in the absence of the members of the Provincial Adminstration. Those of us who come from the pastoral areas really appreciate the critical role that is played by the village elders. We know that the pastoral communities are conservative in their cultural practices. Even if we have free primary education, the majority of the pastoral communities have not embraced it. We should use the village elders to mobilize communities, so that they can send their children to school. They are the same village elders who can mobilize the communities to take the sick to the hospital instead of being attended to traditionally. I do not see the problem in paying the village elders, because I want to compare them with members of the land tribunal panel, or the Land Control Board members who are drawn from the communities. They listen to land disputes and help the authorities. They are well versed in problems affecting land in given areas, and advise the land officers. These are people who are being paid sitting allowances when they attend meetings. So, it is important that village elders, who play a very important role, are remunerated. With those few remarks, I support."
}