01 Nov 2017

 Letlhakeng Sub -district councillors have pleaded for resourcing of government departments to enable them to better deliver services to clients.

Speaking during the Letlhakeng sub council forum on Tuesday, councillor for Ditshegwane-Maboane, Mr Tshabahule Kgotlhang cited the Botswana Police Service, whom he said was under resourced, especially when it came to transport, even though they are expected to timely respond to reports.

Cllr Kgotlhang said that such shortage of vehicles unfairly exposes the police to criticism by clients.

He however, commended the Letlhakeng police for doing a diligent job with the little they have, but pleaded that more focus should be put on Ditshegwane, as the village faced problems of alcohol and drug abuse, especially dagga.

He said such abuse then escalates cases of murder and delinquency. Councillor for Ngware, Mr Ontatlhile Selatlho also reiterated the words, citing the Department of Wildlife and National Parks in Letlhakeng which he said operates with only a single officer who does not have a vehicle.

Cllr Selatlho said the officer depends on seeking assistance from other government departments, which might not necessarily always be availed at the time of need.

On other issues, Cllr Kgotlhang pleaded that Masupi settlement be incorporated into the nearby Maboane village as it had been done with other settlements around Kweneng District.

He said in the past, about 14 settlements in Kweneng were approved for incorporation as wards into nearby villages, but the same had not been done about Masupi even though the policy allows such.

For his part, Councillor for Salajwe, Mr Lopang Sebutlenyane said that contrary to what the sub council had been told, ‘there is suitable accommodation’ for a medical doctor who was supposed to be posted to that village.

He said a suitable house was sort at the local junior school which was even free of charge, and that alternatively, another suitable house was availed for rent by a resident in the village.

Cllr Sebutlenyane’s complaint came after it was reported in the sub council chairman’s speech that the medical doctor who was supposed to be posted to Salajwe village was frustrated by lack of suitable accommodation; forcing the village to get services from Letlhakeng.

Cllr Sebutlenyane also complained that the newly completed Letlhakeng internal roads are without bus stop shelters, thereby exposing commuters, especially those going to peripheral villages to harsh weather.

He also complained about Letlhakeng-Kaudwane road which, he said, the contractor given the tender seemed to be struggling to maintain.

He said this left the road in such a bad state that combi owners were reluctant to ply it.

Cllr for Motokwe-Tsetseng, Ms Beauty Bogale applauded government for introducing the annual Ms RADP pageant. She however pleaded that contestants who make a mark in the pageant should be given a project that would sustain them post the pageant.

Cllr Bogale also pleaded that Water Utilities Corporation (WUC) should consider bringing their services closer to the people, saying that residents of far flung villages such as Tsetseng, travel hundreds of kilometres to pay their water bills at Letlhakeng.

She advised that at least the corporation should make a provision to allow clients to pay at the nearest WUC office. BOPA