26 Aug 2014

Residents of Tonota have been urged to stop littering as this has become a health hazard.


Addressing a kgotla meeting on August 25, Member of Parliament for Tonota South, Mr Pono Moatlhodi said he saw the need to address residents on this matter because he had received complaints from some government departments about the waste along the A1 road within the village. 


Mr Moatlhodi made reference to pampers in particular ,which he said were usually found all over the village, adding that the pampers were not only detrimental to people but also to the health of livestock as animals fed on them.


He urged people to make use of dustbins to dispose any waste or dig waste pits in their backyards. 
Kgosi Ramosenyi Radipitse urged the residents to make use of the dumping site in the village, which had been made specifically for that purpose.


He encouraged people to report anyone who indiscriminately disposed of waste around the village. He said such individuals should be reported either to the police or at the customary court. 


One of the residents, Ms Pauline Lekgotla said it was really disappointing that women had to be called to the kgotla to be told how to dispose pampers.
 She said women should know these things instinctively.

She said the fact that men were complaining about it meant that it had become a concern for the whole village.
 She encouraged people to make use of plastic bags provided by the council to dispose pampers.


“These pampers which are thrown all over are not only used by sick people, but also by babies.  Another shameful thing is that even sanitary pads are not being disposed properly,” she said.


Mr Lekoko Sealotswe said it would be better for public servants to address them as residents on matters they perceive as important instead of waiting for the Member of Parliament to do that.


On other issues, MP Moatlhodi briefed residents on the Ebola virus informing them to avoid by all means travelling to affected countries such as Nigeria and Liberia.


He said Batswana should count themselves lucky as they have not yet been affected by the virus.


Furthermore, MP Moatlhodi said that this does not mean that they should not inform themselves about the virus, adding that a clinic in Block 8 in Gaborone has been set aside to deal specifically with anyone who is suspected to be infected or shows symptoms of the virus. Ends