25 Apr 2018

A remaining balance of about P2.3 million from the P10 million constituency funds that was allocated Thamaga-Kumakwane constituency caused a bitter brawl between area MP Mr Tshenolo Mabeo, residents and councillors as they could not agree on how the funds should be used.

The fracas and bickering over the said funds played out during a kgotla meeting that was addressed by MP Mabeo on April 23 in Thamaga.

MP Mabeo had informed residents that out of the P10 million constituency funds that were distributed among the various wards in his constituency to finance community projects, P2.3 million remained as a balance.  

He then proposed to residents that since the remaining amount was too little to finance any major project that could make impact, the funds could be used for additional solar streetlights to expand the ones that have already been installed along Thamaga-Moshupa road.

The MP had further explained that although the funds could not cover a vast area of solar street lighting, it would make perfect sense if more lights could be added because as it stood, the ones that had been installed were very few.

He also emphasised the need for more solar streetlights arguing that Thamaga was prone to criminal activities which had resulted in some people losing their lives, thefore, it was important that streetlights be prioritised especially  in strategic crime prone areas such as bus stops and interjunctions.

However, the MP’s proposal was met with mixed reactions from residents.  

While some seemed to agree with the MP, others were of the view that the issue was not supposed to come to the public before the MP and councillors could engage each other and agree on what would benefit the constituents.  

This, some residents pointed out, was a clear indication that their elected leaders were not in sync.

Other residents said that the solar streetlights that had been installed were of poor quality as the lights could not illuminate far as compared to the ones installed in Letlhakeng.

Still, others advised the leadership to go back to the drawing board and discuss these issues further and agree.  

They also advised the leadership to work with proper structures where developments were concerned, in this case, the council as it  was the one that had been tasked to oversee these projects adding that the leadership should also work hand in hand with civil servants to ensure that these projects were executed well. ENDS