15 Dec 2014

Assistant Minister of Local Government and Rural Development says declaring Orapa as a township as per the Local Government Act, No. 18 of 2012 would open up access and compromise the security attached to the mining activity.

Mr Frans Van Der Westhuizen said in Parliament that Orapa was unique in the sense that the nature and degree of security attached to the mining activity and its access was restricted by De Beers Mining Company.

He said for this reason, the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development had no intention of declaring Orapa a township. He also noted that as for Letlhakane and other areas, there was no doubt that they qualified to be declared townships in accordance with the provisions of Section 8 of the Local Government Act, No. 18 of 2012.

Boteti East MP, Mr Sethomo Lelatisitswe had asked the Minister of Local Government and Rural Development when he would consider declaring or establishing Orapa and Letlhakane as townships considering the number of mines in the area.  ENDS