Gaborone — Big names, including two opposition chiefs, have been listed in the state-owned Daily News for failure to pay rates to Selebi-Phikwe Town Council.

Botswana National Front (BNF) president, Otsweletse Moupo and his Botswana Congress Party , (BCP) counterpart Gilson Saleshando are among the top names who have reported ly defaulted in paying rates to the town council. Moupo is cited for owing P7,901.93 for his plot number 10059 while Saleshando is said to owe a hefty P31, 969.02 for his residential plot number 4982.

Other prominent leaders cited are Francistown West legislator Tshelang Masisi (P9 489.43), Francistown councillor James Kgalajwe (about P13,000), businessman Palalani Moitlhobogi (P3 286.28) and Bangwato deputy chief Tlholego Seretse (P13,534.44).

When contacted Moupo said that he is not aware that he was listed in the newspaper for defaulting. He said that he had not defaulted.

"They are sensationalising the issue. The plot in question had been allocated to someone before me and had outstanding rates, and I had told them that they should pursue the previous owner to settle the rates because I can't pay his rates," he said.

BCP leader Saleshando said that he was shocked that the council is communicating the matter through the media instead of writing letters to the defaulters.

"The plot they are referring to is the one where I reside.

These people (council officers) just increase the rates on their own and you will never know it. They don't bother to notify us at all. You would just see your name in the papers like they have done now.

I would not be surprised if one day, they seize people's plots on default charges they are not aware of," he said.

He stated that the hiking of rates by the council on a whim is not fair.Kgalajwe said that he has an industrial plot, which he shares with a company he has shares in.

"I didn't know the plot was in default. I will talk to the company and ensure that they pay," he said.

Selebi-Phikwe town clerk, Kutlwano Matenge has defended the council's decision to publish names of defaulters.

He said that they had made efforts to contact the defaulters but some of them might have changed their postal addresses hence they did not see their letters.

"I am sure others received them. We decided to publish the names so that people can read the papers and be forced to come to us and pay," he explained. He denied Saleshando's claim that the council has a tendency of hiking rates whimsically. Matenge said that it is the Minister of Local Government, not councils that determines the rates.

"Every year we write to the minister asking what rates we should use in the councils," he said.