19 Nov 2017

North West District leadership has taken a decision to dissolve two action groups at Xaxaba settlement in an effort to bring peace and stability within the community

The decision followed some complaints by a group of the community which called for the leadership intervention as they reported that there was confusion among Xaxaba community because some part of the community elected a new action group without consulting the first one and some members thus brought division and instability.

 Xaxaba is a settlement situated right at the heart of the Okavango Delta and it was reported the area was marred with factions, conflicts due to poor working relationship between the first action group, residents and kgosi.

Lack of cooperation resulted in part of the community electing the second action group which could work smoothly with leadership in driving developments at the area. Now the two action groups are at loggerheads as both claim to be legitimate hence conflict and confusion amongst villagers.

However, the district leadership comprising of the district commissioner, council chairman, council secretary and Shorobe kgosi had a general meeting with the residents to hear from the horse’s mouth so that they come up with a long lasting solution.

After a lengthy discussion, they decided to dissolve all the action groups and promised residents to send a team to conduct fresh elections for the benefit of the whole community.

The district commissioner, Mr Keolopile Leipego explained that they could not have two action groups as per the law adding that the community also failed to follow the laid down procedures.

While waiting for fresh election, residents were informed that kgosi, area councillor and social worker would attend to anything that was supposed to be done by the action group.

The council chairperson, Mr Duncan Enga shared the same sentiments that the area could not be led by two action groups working parallel as that would not build nor develop the village. He also appreciated that where there is a conflict, it should be discussed and resolved amicably for the benefit of the whole community.

He explained to residents that since their area was ungazetted, they could not have Village Development Committee hence they were advised to elect an action group which its chairperson sits in nearest VDC of a recognized village which is Shorobe.

I understand that it is painful because you want to benefit from all services but the law does not allow you to have an established VDC,” he added.

The council secretary, Mr Charles Amos urged residents to respect and support their leadership noting that where they is a mistake, they should sit together and correct it without hassle.

He described kgosi as a pillar in every village whose role is to bring the community together to work as one unit to develop the village.

Earlier on, Kgosi Tlhogoetona Mpanyane explained that the settlement which was established in the early 70s was made up of three ethnic groups being Basarwa, Bakgalagadi and Bayei.

He further confirmed the conflict amongst the villagers as there was no cooperation between them and the first action group hence there was no progress in community developments.

He said that resulted in some residents electing new action group which is ready to work with the community. BOPA