28 Feb 2017

Some hawkers plying their trade in the streets of Francistown have complained about the way the ongoing heavy rains affect their businesses.

In an interview, one of the hawkers, Ms Carol Kakanyo said the situation makes their lives difficult as they are in constant worry about whether they will be able to put bread on the table later at home.

She said the rains even keep their customers indoors, leading to them making daily losses.

“Some of us are selling fresh vegetables and are failing to get any supplies as too much rain means some of them rot before harvest time while others need sunlight to ripen,” Ms Kakanyo said.

“We longed for the rain to cool the hot weather conditions, but now it comes with destruction, especially those farmers near river banks” she said.

Ms Dimpho Motshegwa said it is now impossible to go out in the morning and set up stalls because of the early morning rain, noting that it is going to leave them with nothing to survive on.

“We are even afraid to take the children to school because they might not come back due to the heavy rains and we are even afraid to go near the river as it is overflowing,” Ms Motshegwa said.

Meanwhile, Francistown principal district officer - development, Mr Boyce Mangole said ‘People were informed about the storm and the rains. They were also provided with contacts from which they couldget help in case of emergency,” said Mr Mangole.

He further said they have not yet recorded any damages in Francistown and the surrounding areas, but advised people to always be alert and contact his office or any of the teams made up of dikgosi, Botswana Defence Force, Botswana Police Services, among  others. ENDS