17 May 2018

The Thamaga/Kubung road is not on the 2018/19 plan as it is not budgeted for, says an official from the Department of Roads, Mr Dikeme Matlapeng.

He said this when responding to councillors comments on the district development report during the ongoing Mogoditshane/Thamaga Sub-council meeting .

Councillors wanted to know the current status of the Thamaga/Kubung road.

Mr Matlapeng had, however, confirmed that the construction of the Pula Spar/Mmankgodi junction dual carriage was ongoing and was funded for this year.

He also cleared the air concerning the rumble-strips which were erected along the A10 road in Kumakwane, saying they had demolished the rumble strips after pressure from the public to remove them.  

Motorists had taken to social media complaining that they caused unnecessary traffic jams and damage to their vehicles.

Although he assured councillors that the department was going to replace the rumble strips with humps, he said there would still be traffic jams.  

He expressed concern that motorists would continue to use alternative roads in the village to avoid traffic, and that it posed danger to people who stayed alongside the gravel roads that were used as bypass roads.

Councillors had also wanted to know how much was spent on the construction of the humps, saying it constituted misuse of public funds.

Mr Matlapeng admitted that a lot of money was spent on the construction of the strips, estimating the amount at about P60 000.

Commenting on the Metsimotlhabe/Molepolole dual carriage way, he said it was not on the plan, and pointed out that the existing road would only be resurfaced and shoulders expanded from Metsimotlhabe Bridge to Molepolole.

Councillors expressed concern that district developments were not going through proper channels, and that announcements concerning district developments were announced at kgotla meetings without their knowledge.

“It is not right for projects to elude local development structures,” charged councillor for Thamaga West, Mr Molatedi Selala, calling for the due process to be followed.

On other issues, councillor Selala questioned the safety of food in public primary schools as it was reported that the department of education confiscated 4 000kg of sorghum meal from some primary schools in Mogoditshane as they were infested with weevils.  

It was also reported that some schools were infested with cockroaches and rats.  

He said if food safety and security in schools was not carefully looked into, it would lend them into trouble as it compromised pupils lives.  

He said proper measures should be taken to make sure storage facilities were well ventilated and secured.  ENDS