18 Aug 2016

Government departments have been urged to always consult and liaise with village leadership together with the community on developments planned for their respective areas.
Selolwane ward residents in Tutume said during a kgotla meeting addressed by their Member of Parliament, Mr Edwin Batshu on August 17 .
They said by so doing will help reduce cost of having to compensate people as they are relocated to pave way for national developments.
A resident, Mr Mbinganyi Tsholofelo noted that often a lot of money is used on compensating property owners who have to be moved while at times it also delays projects to commence on time.
He was of the view that if there was proper planning and consultation, a lot of funds could have been saved and as such urged government departments’ officials to consider making consultation with the community a priority prior to making design plans.
In this regard, he said as inhabitants of areas they will be able to share their views on how best the designs can be done at no or limited costs.
Furthermore, updating their MP, Ms Ntobana Keeme raised a concern that there are currently experiencing an influx of people mining sand in the rivers around the village.
She said the major concern is that the culprits make big pits in the rivers which they leave open and therefore during the raining season become hazardous to people in particular school going children more so that such pits are done in areas where people cross to other sides of the river.
Adding on to sand mining issue, village development committee chairperson, Mr Tobokani George shared the sentiment with Ms Keeme, saying they are aware of such people who are causing damage to the rivers and they have since realised that the community is part of the problem as they prefer to buy illegal materials.
He said some employees of companies undertaking construction works around the village dig the sand during lunch hour.
Mr George therefore cautioned the residents to desist from encouraging people to cause damage which will in return have a lasting impact on their lives.
Commenting on the issues, Mr Batshu said proper action should be taken against the culprits and that their machinery should be confiscated and be used as an exhibit when they are reported.
He said since there are so much construction projects taking place in the constituency, he will meet with responsible authorities so that stiff measures are put in place to prevent damages that may be caused by some people taking advantage of government projects being undertaken in different areas. ENDS