25 Mar 2014

Government is aware that there are five government boreholes located within a radius of 10 kilometres around Lekoba cattle post as per the available records in the Department of Water Affairs.

Responding to a question from the MP for Tonota North, Mr Fidelis Molao on behalf of the Ministry of Minerals, Energy and Water Resources, the Minister of Defence, Justice and Security, Mr Dikgakgamatso Seretse said in addition there were 14 exploration drill holes within and around the same area.

He said per the ministry’s records, all of the government boreholes in the area had been applied for and the applications were at various stages of the application process and one had been issued with water rights.

Minister Seretse said the department was still considering the other four applicants in line with the Water Act of 9168. With regard to the exploration drill holes, the minister explained that they were specifically for water investigation purposes and not for water abstraction therefore, they could not be used to provide water for animals or people.

Mr Molao had asked if the minister was aware of the boreholes that were drilled by government but were lying idle around Lekoba cattle post and if these boreholes could be equipped for the people who lived in the area to provide water for their animals and drink from it; if not; will he investigate and identify the said boreholes and facilitate that they be used by the community. Ends