01 Dec 2017

Residents of Ditshiping settlement in the North West region have requested President Lt Gen. Dr Seretse Khama Ian Khama to intervene in a long standing issue of recognition of their settlement to a village.

 

Ditshiping Kgosi Galebuse Tshekonyana informed the President that Ditshiping which has been in existence since 1961 lacked developments such as school, clinic and roads because it was ungazetted. Ditshiping is situated about 35 kilometres from Shorobe in the NG32 concession area.

 

Kgosi Tshekonyana appreciated the President’s visit to their village before he left office. He however appealed to the President to take the issue of recognition of Ditshiping forward.

President Khama observed that gazetting an area was determined by government regulations such as the population of the area.

 

He however noted that some settlements could be exempted based on various factors.

 

 President Khama therefore observed that Ditshiping residents could forward their appeal to the North West District Council who would then write to the responsible minister to ask for a waiver.

 

He further promised that he would follow up the issue of recognition of Ditshiping with the relevant leadership in Gaborone.

 

President Khama also donated blankets, Bibles and chairs to the people of Ditshiping.

 

The Minister for Local Government and Rural Development Mr Slumber Tsogwane acknowledged that his ministry was aware of the request to gazette Ditshiping settlement.

 

Mr Tsogwane said the issue was submitted as a recommendation which included other villages in the wildlife management area in 2016 although it was rejected at the local council level.

 

However, Mr Tsogwane noted that through the North West District Council a waiver was recommended for Ditshiping to be recognised which was submitted in September 2017.

 

Mr Tsogwane said the waiver application had not been assessed therefore said his ministry would do so and bring the response as soon as possible as the President had suggested.

The population of an area was crucial for it to be gazette,  he said adding it should be at least 500 people in an area as the population influenced developments. 

 

Mr Tsogwane however noted that some amenities were provided on compassionate grounds even when an area wa ungazetted such as a primary school to ensure children lived with their parents. ENDS