Africa-Press – Botswana. Members of Pandamatenga-Lesoma- Kazungula (PALEKA) Community Trust have passed a resolution to dissolve their board.
The decision was taken at the trust Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Kazungula on Saturday where members expressed disappointment over maladministration, poor governance and lack of respect by the board.
Members held the view that the board disregarded them by taking major decisions involving community funds under the notion that they were empowered by the constitution.
Moreover, the community said it was disappointing that the board disregarded the role and advices of the Technical Advisory Committee chaired by the Office of the District Commissioner in decision making.
Members expressed concern over the board chairperson Kabuzu Kabuzu’s remarks that the board summoned Chobe District Commissioner for a court litigation that could have been resolved out of court.
This they said was a clear indication that the board acted impulsively without consulting the community who could have advised to settle the matter in-house.
They dismissed the matter that the 2024 financial statements were not audited, which they deemed unprofessional to hold an AGM without audited financial statements.
Members subsequently dissolved the board and instructed that the general manager remain in office to facilitate the auditors to review the 2024 financial statements and report.
In addition, a decision was taken to freeze the Trust bank accounts while awaiting a Special General Meeting on July 28 where an audited report would be presented.
Chobe District Officer development Ms Nobuhle Mbusi said the board disregarded the advisory role played by Technical Advisory Committee in many cases.
She said in 2024 after the board was given authority by Master of High Court to sit in office, the board did not consult TAC on the handing over process from the former board. She said the process was done in secrecy, even without the knowledge of the community.
Ms Mbusi revealed said in many cases involving big contracts, TAC had asked the board to consult community first however they disregarded them.
The officer pointed out that the board issued the district commissioner with a court order that she had no authority to be signatory of disbursement of funds hence noted that DC and TAC were in the dark on all the funds that were spent by the PALEKA board.
Mr Kabuzu had previously indicated that the TAC were an impediment against his board which forced them to take DC to court.
He stated that his board acquired a JCB machine, rented an office, purchased porta cabins, and donated funds toward corporate social responsibility without members’ approval.
This, he said was constitutional in that the board was entrusted with power to make decisions without consulting nor approval from community.
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