09 Jul 2017

Assistant Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Mr Frans van der Westhuizen has informed Ntlo Ya Dikgosi that McCarthy’s Rust was recognised and declared a tertiary IV settlement in March 2017.

He said the category was in accordance with the Revised National Settlement Policy of 2004 since the population of McCarthy’s Rust and associated settlements was 269 people.

Kgosi David Toto II had asked the ministry to state when the settlement would be upgraded to a village since its population had grown hence the demand of services.

Mr Van der Westhuizen also informed the House that Makopong, Werda and Bogologolo had no posts of headman of record.

He said it was not possible to create new positions because of manpower growth freeze and budget constraints. He, however, said the ministry would continue to look into the cases in future, resources permitting.

Kgosi Toto II had asked when positions of headmen of record for the said villages would be created.

Ntlo Ya Dikgosi also heard that the ministry was aware of the old switchboards at tribal administration offices and was in consultation with Botswana Telecommunications Corporation and other stakeholders to improve communication infrastructure.

Kgosi Boiditswe of Serowe region had asked if the ministry was aware of outdated switchboards that hampered smooth communication at tribal administration offices. ENDS