16 Nov 2017

Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Mr Slumber Tsogwane has informed residents of Orapa that National and Civil registration bill would prohibit people from keeping two identity cards at the same time.

Minister Tsogwane said this during a kgotla meeting in Orapa recently that it would be an offence to be found in possession of two identity cards.

He noted that in case of a lost or misplaced identity card, if recovered while a duplicate identity card had already been applied for, the old one should be handed to the authorities.

The minister indicated that the bill would also prohibit cash loan operators from keeping their client’s identity cards as security.

In addition, Mr Tsogwane expressed concern that there was a developing trend of some stalls operating in the peripheries of school premises selling drugs to students, cautioning members of the public against such ill-practices.

He called on parents to demonstrate commitment and dedication towards education of their children.

Mr Tsogwane noted that government prioritised education, adding that a larger share of budget allocated to the ministry was evident enough.

The intended objective, which he said was to build a future for the next generation, would not be achieved if parents failed to participate in the education of their children.

Students, he said, had made it a norm to vandalise school facilities, a conduct which he said they did not practise at their homes.

For his part, deputy district commissioner, Mr Ewetse Selelo, stated that tender document for a 22-house project planned under Economic Stimulus Programme (ESP) for Orapa JSS was at an evaluation stage.

Senior assistant council secretary, Mr Onthatile Molelu stated that constituency funds allocated to Orapa were scheduled for maintenance of Orapa JSS School and tender documentation had been concluded.

Mr Molelu indicated that tendering for constituency funding started at a later stage since some areas took time to conduct consultations. The deputy school head at Orapa JSS, Mr Kebame Montwedi had requested an update on constituency funding and 22 staff houses planned under ESP.

Mr Montwedi complained about lack of cyclic maintenance of the school, saying it was never maintained since its inception.

He also expressed concern that the school was a 15-stream set-up, but resources provided were for a 12-stream set-up, citing shortage of classrooms and equipment.

One resident, Mr William Monyatsi had attributed poor performance to ill behaviour of students.

Mr Monyatsi suggested that Citizen Enterpreneurial Development Agency should provide a conducive environment to ease doing business by liaising with other organisations such as licensing offices and land boards,  among others.

Mr Obusitswe Marai complained about the prolonged processes of prosecuting accused persons. BOPA