03 Dec 2017

President Lt Gen. Dr Seretse Khama Ian Khama visited Mmathubudukwane village in Mochudi East Constituency on November 30, where he donated 30 chairs for the kgotla, 50 blankets to the elderly and needy, 10 Bibles and a football kit.

When presenting the Village Development Committee report to the President, secretary, Ms Naomi Lekgabe asked for an update of the Modipane/Mabalane road which was promised to be built through the Economic Stimulus Programme.

Ms Lekgabe requested that the village clinic be upgraded to a 24 hour facility especially that it catered for other villages. She also asked for additional staff to match the workload at the facility and another ambulance to augment the one already available.

When welcoming guests, Kgosi Michael Balebetse expressed worry that Mmathubudukwane Sub-land Board did not cooperate with the community as they did not participate in village activities.

He said during the 50th Independence Anniversary and the Roving Torch, they refused to be part of the activities. He further stated that they denied them assistance when preparing for the President’s visit until Kgatleng district commissioner, Mr Mompoloki Mochanang intervened.

On other issues, Kgosi Balebetse complained that Botswana Housing Corporation houses in the village remained unoccupied.

He said Debswana donated a cheque which was to be used to build a house for a needy person but that never happened and asked for help to find out what might have happened to the money.

President Khama responded that he would assist in finding out about the Debswana cheque and if that did not work out, he would assist with funds from the Presidential Housing Appeal, an initiative meant to house the needy.

Concerning Modipane/Mabalane road, President Khama said there was a delay caused by the re-designing of the road.

He said the road was first designed in 2008 but due to economic recession could not be constructed hence the need to re-design and ascertain costs. Minister of Land Management, Water and Sanitation Services, Mr Prince Maele said he was disappointed by reports of lack of cooperation by the sub-land board.

He asked President Khama to give him time to find out what the problem was and would give him feedback after meeting with the officers and the community. Ends