COUNCILLORS FED UP
Local government authorities call for dismantlement of BALA Leaders at the association accused of enriching themselves Councilors argue BALA no longer has any use for anyone
Councillors are accusing Botswana Association of Local Authorities (BALA) leadership of incompetence, further alleging that they are only in office to enrich themselves.
In audio leaks shared with this publication, agitated councilors are asking if the organ that is BALA is still relevant and necessary as it no longer serves their interests but only for those in leadership positions. Incidentally, BALA is an association made up of the councilors themselves, chief executives of councils, as well as the council themselves as Corporate Members. Those elected in positions of leadership serve as the executive arm that is expected to take care of the general welfare of the rest of the councillors.
However, the councillors outside the prestigious enclave of the executive feel the leaders are only up there to push their own agenda of lining up their pockets whereas the association was meant to cater for their concerns as councillors. Only those elected to serve at the top table benefit, they argue.
“As I speak our leaders (at BALA) are driving brand new models of Isuzu cars, top of the range, bought by BALA. Fuelled and serviced by BALA. After five years they have an option of buying those cars at only 10 percent of their value, meaning if it costs P200 000, they will buy it at only P20 000,” said one councillor in one of their WhatsApp groups.
Among their scope of responsibilities, the BALA executive arm negotiates packages with private companies and institutions such as banks on behalf of the councillors and other officials in the local government authority, What then leaves him turning and tossing at night is that when a councillor applies for a loan through BALA, the office gets two percent from their money. The deduction goes towards the day to day expenses of the association, including paying rent, acquiring assets and staff salaries.
Hypothetically, if the over 400 councillors were to each get a loan of P300 000 from their mother association, it would see BALA making around P2.7 million for their coffers, money they believe would then line up individual pockets of those who purport to work for their interests. “When we get to council we immediately join BALA, is there a law that forces us to join? Is it something that we can turn down because as an individual, I really do not want to be a part of this?” he asked.
The councillors also complain that BALA has partnered with one local telephone network provider which sees them paying P350 monthly, meaning by the end of their five year term, councillors would have parted with over P20 000 each that goes towards purchase of airtime or new phones. From that money, BALA allegedly pockets seven percent of proceeds, which they again feel is used to lace the lifestyles of their leaders.
Other concerned councillors reacted with shock and disappointment, equally questioning procedures at BALA. They said that if revelations of the monies made by BALA are anything to go by, then BALA’s accrued millions should also be used to make the lives of all other councillors easier, instead of the money benefitting only those in leadership. . “Local government budget for 2021 was P56 billion, calculations suggest that BALA got one percent of this, meaning they got P56 million. But if for argument sake half of it went to council, then it still means BALA got P23 million. It is still a lot of money,” another councillor added, suggesting that part of the money could indeed be used to cushion the councillors’ expenses.
They stressed that BALA is toothless and should be dismantled, arguing that it is controlled by local government officials and therefore can never speak freely on councillors’ issues and welfare. “We really have no idea what purpose BALA is serving, a union should be independent and it is high time we choose where to go. Those sitting in the office are favoured but the rest of the councillors who do the dirty work and interact with members of the community are ignored. “Kana ko magaeng koloi ya Mokhanselara ke ya morafe, ke ambulance e isa balwetsi clinic. Ngwana ga a sena ditlhako tsa sekolo kana dijo go latelwa mokahanselara but those at the top treat us like nobodies.”
In the audios that were confirmed by councillors who preferred anonymity for fear of victimisation, they questioned if truly BALA was serving its mandate or was now a business entity hiding behind representing council members. When reached, BALA Executive Secretary Steve Pheko said he will not respond to such issues through the media. “If they have such concerns, I advise that they channel them the right way so that we respond accordingly, with that, I will not comment,” Pheko said.