17 Dec 2014

The Vice President, Mr Mokgweetsi Masisi,has promised residents of Lotlhakane West in Moshupa Sub-district that government will continue to subscribe to the rule of the law in managing the affairs of the nation.

Mr Masisi, who is also Moshupa/Manyana legislator as well as Minister of Education and Skills Development, was addressing residents of Lotlhakane West during a kgotla meeting on Tuesday, December 16.

He said contrary to some untruths peddled by misleading elements within the society, his government would not deviate from tenets of democracy and good governance that had made Botswana envy of nations across the world.

On other issues the Vice President urged residents to demonstrate the spirit of self-reliance by championing development in their area. Mr Masisi views followed complaints by one of the residents, Ms Kefilwe Bodika who decried shortage of office and housing accommodation for the police deployed in the village.

The Vice President said Lotlhakane West populace and Batswana in general should appreciate the mammoth task faced by the government in trying to improve their livelihoods and devise self-help projects that could mitigate their needs.

He said although it was the obligation of the government to avail services such as water and electricity to Batswana, such myriad of competing needs has proven difficult to meet due to lack of funds.

“Shortage of these amenities is also fueled by their growing needs and demands on a daily basis,” he said adding it should not come as a shock that there was shortage of such services as water.

Moshupa Police Station Commander, Superintendent Onneetse Gagogosha said there were currently no plans to construct police houses in Lotlhakane West. He therefore pleaded with Tribal Administration which has been providing housing for the police to continue doing so.

Superintendent Gagogosha told the meeting that there were no plans to allocate a vehicle to the village soon and promised they would have to share with Moshupa as and when need arises.

For her part, Ms Tebogo Maoketsa of the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture said her Ministry was working round the clock to come with modalities on how it could permanently absorb some of Tirelo Sechaba participants into the government employment.

Ms Maoketsa who is the senior programs officer said however that merit and the length of service would be used to determine the eligibility of the recruitment.

She also told residents that it was the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture pre-condition to ensure that it sponsored people with basic training and passion for whatever business undertaking they engage in.

Water Utilities Corporation Officer, Mr Maipelo Raditsebe called on residents of Lotlhakane West, particularly those whose homesteads were to be connected to the water lines to exercise patience saying the corporation was awaiting funding to address the matter. ENDS