04 Mar 2018

Tutume Sub-district councillors have called for improvement in service delivery across the whole district which covers three constituencies of Nata/Gweta, Nkange and Shashe West. This they echoed at the ongoing full council session in Tutume recently. 

Commenting on the speech of the sub-council chairperson, Mr Ishmael Mokgethi, councillor Rifonia Makwati of Nkange South said some failures or delays in completion of projects are caused by officers who do not deliver per the expected service standards.

 He noted that most of the projects in the sub district are far behind schedule to the extent that some were reported to be at 15 per cent whereas the financial year is almost over. 

He said some of these projects are constituency projects which by far could be nearing completion or completed more so that within the new financial year they are supposed to start new ones.

That therefore left them wondering if it is going to be possible to pair the old and new ones.

Councillor Makwati therefore noted that if contractors were paid on time some of these delays which have been cited as major factors in delaying projects such as delivery of materials to sites could have been avoided instead of the current situation where almost in all the places there are issues of delays in delivery of materials.

Sharing the sentiments was councillor Nehemiah Hulela of Mathangwane who said serving people in the sub district is still worrisome as they constantly receive negative reports from the public that they are not served properly. 

He stated that they have received numerous reports regarding service at Social and Community Development Unit noting that the unit being made up of social workers should be very different from any other unit since they are mainly dealing with  people.

Councillor Hulela therefore suggested that the council leadership arrange an interaction session with the staff in that unit and have a dialogue on issues of concern.

On other issues, councillor Hulela said there is a challenge with waste management in their area adding that it is time that the council conducts public education in order to sensitise people on the need and importance of looking after waste.

In addition, he pointed out that although they have established waste transfer stations in their respective areas, collection from these stations is poor resulting in waste overflow.

He as such proposed that if as council they fail to collect waste they should rather outsource and engage private collectors.

Meanwhile, councillor Kemonye Amon suggested that the sub district should fully engage Water Utilities Corporation to address high water bills in primary schools. 

He noted that some schools in areas where there are issues of water shortage have high bills citing Nata Primary School which has a bill of P41 000 whereas Sebina Primary has a bill of P62 only. 

 He however noted that it has come to their attention that some community members fetch water in schools. 

Such behaviour he said should be dealt with because the council cannot afford to pay such amount as a result of misuse. ENDS