23 Apr 2018

Government has declared Nata-Gweta disaster prone area. This, according to Minister for Presidential Affairs, Governance and Public Administration Mr Nonofo Molefhi follows a motion from the area legislator Mr Polson Majaga at the just ended parliament session.

The minister who was touring disaster affected areas in Gweta on Thursday further explained that through the visit together with members of the National Disaster Management Committee (NDMC) the idea was to familiarise themselves with the situation at hand and map the way forward.

In addition, Mr Molefhi pointed out that they would thereafter establish a team of experts which would include, among other, civil engineers, land surveyors and pathologists to make an assessment.

He said the outcome would be used to find long and short term solutions to disaster challenges in Nata/Gweta areas. Furthermore, he said they would ensure that relevant stakeholders were engaged in the process of assessments hence jointly come up with a solution which would have lasting impact on the communities of the affected areas. Mr Molefhi nonetheless commended the communities for being united and helping each other during the difficult times when they were affected.

He said such spirit should be upheld because it showed Batswana understood that government alone could not shoulder all the responsibilities hence the need for every citizen to  play a role.  Briefing the minister, district disaster management committee lead officer Mr Kabelo Tshekiso explained that compared to last year’s flooding where water clogged on one side of the village, this year it was different as it surrounded the village hence making it difficult to access some affected households.

Mr Tshekiso further explained that about 24 families had to be relocated to a safer place at the brigade and they had to be provided with everyday necessities until the situation subsided.  He also noted that 17 of 67 staff houses at Gweta Primary hospital were affected by water and they had to move the staff into some units of the hospital which were not used.

Assistant council secretary for Tutume -Sub district also a district disaster committee member Mr Uyapo Mafunye explained that of the 1 287 people affected by the disaster, 523 were children aged between five and 15 years while 87 were elders aged 60 and above. He nonetheless said they had engaged the landboard so that a long term solution could be found by relocating some people to higher places away from the route of water. The minister was accompanied by his assistant minister Mr Machana Shamukuni and Nata/Gweta legislator Mr Polson Majaga. ENDS