22 Feb 2015

Residents of Bethel in Good Hope/Mabule constituency have asked the government to establish a kgotla in their village.

Speaking during a kgotla meeting addressed by their Member of Parliament, Mr James Mathokgwane recently, residents complained that the main kgotla was far and the elderly cannot walk long distances to attend meetings.

They complained that the road leading to the main kgotla becomes flooded during rainy seasons and therefore cannot be used. In response, MP Mathokgwane advised residents to discuss the kgotla issue with the village leadership before forwarding the matter to government.

He told them that by the end of NDP 10, most roads in the constituency such as the one that connects Bethel to Kgoro, Borobadilepe, Hebron and Ditlharapa would be maintained. He added that even the Minister of Transport and Communication had been informed on the bad status of roads in the area.

Mr Mathokgwane said he was aware that Good Hope Primary Hospital has only 34 beds to accommodate patients, adding that he was still discussing the issue with relevant officials to find if the facility could be moved to another place as it cannot be extended due to the water situation around it. He also informed residents about government plans to build hostels at Montshiwa Junior Secondary School.

Mr Mathokgwane commended Dinatshana Primary School for the good PSLE examination results, as they beat all primary schools in the district.

He urged youth to access government assistance programmes and to visit his office when they encounter difficulties in completing the forms.

MP Mathokgwane promised to follow up the water and electricity issues.  Residents had complained that electricity connections were going at a snail pace.

For his part, the councillor for Bethel, Mr Lazarus Ncube said the village was lagging in developments and promised to work hard to improve the situation.

Cllr Ncube encouraged residents to bring forward people with disabilities to benefit from government programmes.

He also raised a concern about stolen livestock which was being taken into South Africa. He however encouraged residents to report stolen livestock to the Ramatlabama police and bring with them proof of ownership to assist during investigations. ENDS