27 Aug 2018

Kgosi Kruger Kareng of Lephaleng ward in Molepolole has called for the resuscitation of Ikago Rehabilitation Centre in Molepolole.

Speaking during a Community Service Day hosted by the Department of Social Protection under the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development in Molepolole on Friday, Kgosi Kareng bemoaned the fact that the facility was not serving its intended purpose.

“Although I am happy that the centre is operating though with a small number of 15 children in need of social support, my main worry is that nothing is being done to have the major part of the centre operational,” he said.

Kgosi Kareng challenged those responsible to come up with strategies to ensure full utilisation of the centre to avoid dilapidation.

“I am worried that Ikago centre has been turned into a white elephant, being left to dilapidate when it could be used for other needs,” stated Kgosi Kareng.

He said a lot of money was used to establish the centre yet little or nothing was being done to create awareness among Molepolole community on its purpose.

Kgosi Kareng was reacting to a brief by the centre manager, Ms Janice Motlhabaphuti that the facilities at the centre were under-utilised.

Ms Motlhabaphuti had earlier briefed the gathering that out of the four workshops at the centre, only one was operating.

The other three she said were closed because the centre was running below capacity with 15 children against a capacity of 100.

She said children came and went and the only time they accommodated half the capacity was in 2009.

Ikago Rehabilitation Centre is a unique institution responsible for the plight of children in need of social support.

It is responsible for accommodating children serving minor offences of maximum penalty of imprisonment terms not exceeding three years.

Meanwhile, Social Protection acting director, Ms Ellen Kgotlhang said the centre was established in 2001 through an Act of Parliament with the sole purpose of empowering boys aged between 14 and 18 with social and life support skills.

“Our focus was mainly on those challenged by unforeseen circumstances in their respective homes and those in conflict with the law,” she said.

She said it was unfortunate that the reduction in numbers led to closing of other operational wings such as mechanical, welding and carpentry while bricklaying was the only operating section at the centre.

She acknowledged the fact that the centre was challenged by lack of recreational equipment thus defeating part of its existence.

Meanwhile, ministry of local government acting permanent secretary, Mr Mpho Morapedi donated footballs and volleyball nets. ENDS