01 Jun 2014

Kgosi Lefeletse Koonyatse of Paje has suggested that Ipelegeng projects should move away from activities such as de-bushing as the results are only temporary.

Speaking during a kgotla meeting addressed by Serowe North East MP, Mr Dikgakgamatso Seretse, Kgosi Koonyatse criticised projects carried out under Ipelegeng and suggested that road maintenance would be a better alternative. 

“Last time they asked us to submit projects, which we did, but the office later on reverted to debushing which we are against,” said Kgosi Koonyatse, adding that they had only engaged in maintenance work on a single house.

However, Kgosi Koonyatse said he appreciated that there was a shortage of funds to engage in big projects, but argued that de-bushing also needed funds.

On other issues, Kgosi Koonyatse and Paje residents requested that the department of roads should construct speed humps along the Serowe/Letlhakane road to curb speeding, saying it has caused some deaths in the village. 

Kgosi Koonyatse said De Beers company even built an entertainment park in the village after one of their vehicles killed a six-year-old child. “It was a result of the accident that De Beers built an entertainment park in the village to stop kids from hanging around the road.” 

Villagers through their Village Development Committee had also accused the police of ignoring their pleas for intervention. They said the police had informed them that they make around P10 000 daily in speeding fines. 

However, Mr Seretse informed residents that they would not be granted their wish because it had been explained that the road was a highway. He said he had advocated for the same intervention around Spar shopping complex in Serowe but was flatly refused.

He said he was told that only rubbles would be condoned just to warn drivers through a different surface. 

He, consequently, appealed to parents to ensure that their children were safe at all times and help them cross roads. 

He also suggested that residents should request for road signs from the Department of Roads to mount along the road for safer road use. Ends