30 Nov 2016

 Kweneng District Council chairperson, Mr Jeffery Sibisibi has expressed disappointment over customers who owe Water Utilities Cooperation (WUC) outstanding water bills exceeding P70 million in the district.

Addressing the full council meeting on Monday, the council chairperson stated that the largest amount of over P50 million was owed by government institutions, P19 million by individuals while the remaining P1 million was by businesses.

“Several attempts were made to get debtors to pay their outstanding bills, but it was in vain. WUC was left with no choice but to ensure disconnection of services to force payments,” he said.

He further briefed the meeting about the increasing water shortage in the district with Molepolole being the hardest hit due to constant power cuts experienced at the Malwelwe and Gaotlhobogwe well fields.

He said despite water challenges in the district at the Malwelwe and Gaotlhobogwe wellfield due to declining yields, the department was continuing to register high rates of vandalism on standpipes and pipelines traversing long distances.

“The frequent vandalism comes with huge costs of maintenance and the potential risk of water contamination. The perpetrators dig a hole on the induced leakages to fetch water, but communities do not report such incidents,” he said.

Mr Sibisibi also expressed concern raised by the Department of Animal Health and Production in the district over low turnout in the use of ear tags while farmers mostly acted on livestock intended for sale.

He also briefed the meeting about the ongoing consultation forums aimed at informing communities about the district’s intention to start registration of communal farming with two kgotla meetings already held at Thamaga and Molepolole.

Mr Sibisibi regretted the fact that meat hygiene in the district was compromised due to lack of proper abattoir for slaughtering animals, but were depended on slaughter slabs where hygiene had always been a concern.

The council chairperson’s speech also highlighted squatting problems totaling 777 in Molepolole Administrative Authority MAA and Letlhakeng Sub District.

He called on community leadership’s intervention and to ensure that matters were reported for stern action against perpetrators.

He told the councillors that all the Economic Stimulus Programme (ESP) projects implemented by council were ongoing and at various stages of progress.

 “Some projects like eight unit water closet at Kopong and the works at Takatokwane are nearing completion and expected to be handed over by the end of November,” he said. ENDS