At least eighteen Community Councillors were sworn in during an event held in Maseru on Wednesday.
This eighteen included 12 Counsellors from Constituencies, three represented proportional representation seats as well as another three made up of Area Chiefs.
They took an oath of office before Maseru City Council (MCC) Senior Legal Officer Advocate Tieho Phatsisi in line with the Local Government Act of 1997 as amended.
Among those who took oath included Ms. ‘Malerato Khutlise vowed to deliver services in an endeavour to strengthen MCC as well as for the protection of Lesotho’s Constitution.
Addressing the Counsellors on behalf of MCC, Ms. Maseitšimo Khooe urged Counsellors to be committed to their daily duties for the development of MCC.
Mrs. Khooe said MCC is faced with various challenges in its endeavour to deliver services in the city, thus urging them to bring their skills and support to ensure quality deliverables to the community.
Expressing appreciation on behalf of Councillors, the Area Chief of Ha Leqele, Chief Ts’osane Mphutlane appealed to colleagues to avoid interfering with employees of MCC as they were employed due to their skills and expertise.
“Let us go and represent the society as they have voted for us with the hope that we will serve with humility,” he said.
On the other hand, Mr. Motlalepula Sepipi was elected as the new MCC mayor, Mr. Sepipi won with 12 votes against Ms. ‘Malerato Khutlise who obtained six votes, thus is expected to serve for a year after which there will again be elections for Mayor and Deputy Mayor.
The duties of the mayor are said to be among others overseeing functions of government as well as supporting the Council in its activities that include among others; keeping the city clean.
When taking the oath of office, he promised to uphold the dignity of the office trusted upon him at all times as well as honour the trust of MCC on behalf of Maseru citizens.
Mr. Relebohile Sechache is the deputy mayor, he obtained nine votes against eight of Mr. Ts’epo Shoapane.
Mr. Sechache expressed appreciation to God for having bestowed upon him the responsibility of deputy mayor, urging colleagues to strive for service delivery in their respective areas for the growth and development of this country.
“Gone are the days when Councillors were known only for speaking at funerals, we must be seen promoting issues of development as well as ensuring implementation of services”. he said.
The swearing – in ceremony comes after Lesotho held Local Government Elections in September this year.
Source: LENA 15/11/ 2023
