09 Oct 2016

Minister of Land Management, Water and Sanitation Services, Mr Prince Maele says he will escalate the issue in which 185 residents of Maunatlala demand compensation for their cracked houses following construction of Lotsane dam.

About 150 residents wrote a letter to the MPs constituency office complaining that their houses cracked during construction of Lotsane Dam thus demanding for compensation whilst another 35 wrote a letter to Office of the President.

Addressing a kgotla meeting in Maunatlala on Thursday (October 6), Mr Maele who is also the area MP said it was difficult to reverse a decision that was taken by former Minister of Minerals, Energy and Water Resources, Mr Kitso Mokaila when he assumed responsibility for water services.

He said a report that was produced after the construction of the dam showed that only one house cracked as a result of blasting.

He said houses within four km radius from the project were assessed prior to blasting and the same process was done after completion of the project, with the report showing that only one house was affected. He said during assessment prior to blasting, it was found that some houses were already cracked, whilst some were not in good condition.

Mr Maele, however, said he was conflicted as an area MP because he was now heading a ministry responsible for water services thus compelled to address the issue as the minister responsible for water.

He said he would escalate the issue to the office of the Vice President, Mr Mokgweetsi Masisi.

He urged the 35 residents who wrote a letter to the Office of the President to consult the village leadership, dikgosi, councillor and MP’s office before they could complain to the high office.

He said he would take up the issue to the Vice President.

In response, Maunatlala residents asked Mr Maele to combine the two letters since they were complaining over a similar issue.

They said they demanded compensation as their houses were also affected by the construction of the dam.

They also complained that they were not informed about the findings of an assessment that was conducted.

The residents said they used a lot of money to construct their houses and it is hurtful that they are not getting any compensation from government after the dam project led to the cracking of their houses. ENDS