15 Apr 2018

Parliament has approved a motion requesting government to declare Nata-Gweta a disaster prone area.

The motion was tabled by Nata-Gweta MP, Mr Polson Majaga on April 13.

Mr Majaga pointed that the area had been  vulnerable to floods for a long time and explained that floods from the tropical storm Dineo caused serious damage to infrastructure and property in the area last year.

He further said the recent floods destroyed homes and contaminated rivers and streams leading to environmental health problems, while livestock and wild animals died in flooding water, which affected the economy of the area.

“An estimated 1 130 families have been affected in villages of Gweta, Zoroga and Manxotai, among others. In the Nata-Gweta area, the effects of Cyclone Dineo were more pronounced resulting in exponential damage to roads, bridges and culverts. Tutume Sub-district has always been the most prone district in the country,” explained the legislator.

He added that villages of Sepako, Lepashe, Tshwaane, Maleleje, and Tsokatshaa always become inaccessible due to flooding rivers in the area during rainy season.

“The borehole in Gweta was polluted with sewerage ponds over-flooding. The infrastructure has been rendered almost non-functional due to heavy rains, especially the Francistown-Nata highway,” he said.

The legislator said damage to the highway had affected movement of goods and services.

He also said floods always caused disruption of critical services such as health, education and sanitation services in Nata-Gweta.

MPs wholly supported the motion with Mmathethe-Molapowabojang MP, Dr Alfred Madigele stating that disaster prone areas required concerted support from government.

“We have had many incidences of houses, huts and other forms of shelter destroyed by torrential rains that have befallen this particular region. We all know that shelter is very critical, it is a very special component of everyday life,” said the legislator.

He further said damage to infrastructure due to floods had worsened the problem of water shortage in the area.

The motion was also supported by Gabane- Mmankgodi MP, Major General Pius Mokgware, who said suitable storm water drainage facilities should be constructed in villages in Nata-Gweta to channel away water during periods of flood.

He also said houses, roads and other infrastructure constructed in the area in future should be planned in a way that they would be able to withstand floods.

Boteti East MP, Mr Sethomo Lelatisitswe and Mahalapye East MP, Ms Botlogile Tshireletso also supported the motion, pointing that communities in the region had frequently suffered from severe floods. ENDS