18 Sep 2018

North East District Council Chairperson, Ms Florah Mpetsane, has assured the public that no cases of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) were recorded recently in North East contrary to some media reports..

Addressing a full council session in Masunga on September 17, Ms Mpetsane said during the months of August and early September, multiple movements of cattle from Zimbabwe were seen between Matsiloje and Matopi. 

She stated that these incursions were a result of excessive damage of the cordon fence by elephants which most of the time were migrating from Zimbabwe to Botswana in search of water at Dikgatlhong Dam.

Therefore, she indicated that the Department of Veterinary Services imposed movement restriction of cloven hooded livestock from Matshelagabedi to Matopi as a cautionary measure.

She further highlighted that the fence inland was intact with teams having been dispatched to work on the fence on the Zimbabwean side. 

“A cross border meeting preparation is underway between the police, wildlife and agricultural officials and their Zimbabwe counterparts to discuss and require the latter to address their farmers to look after their livestock.”

Also, Ms Mpetsane warned Batswana about the cholera and diarrhea outbreak in Zimbabwe.

She stated that Zimbabwe government had declared a state of emergency this month following reports of nearly 2 000 suspected cholera cases. About 24 deaths and 58 cases had been confirmed.

She urged the public to observe personal hygiene measures and report to the nearest health facility any symptoms of cholera.

On the issue of diarrhea, Ms Mpetsane said the outbreak had been observed since first week of September in Francistown, Kgatleng, Selebi Phikwe, Boteti, Mahalapye and Gaborone areas.

The chairperson revealed that the district had not experienced any case and were on high alert to provide necessary services for the management of diarrhea.

Ms Mpetsane indicated that water crisis continued to be a challenge in the district with Senyawe, Jackals 1 and Ramokgwebana being the hardest hit areas.

She said WUC was expecting delivery of two new bowsers to address supply shortfalls at these villages.

She said the water crisis would be addressed through implementation of the pending upgrading of North East District and Tutume Sub District (NED-TSD) water supply scheme project.

The chairperson stated that the project was at an advanced stage with contracts having been awarded while the construction phase of the project was scheduled to commence in January 2019.

Giving an update on the land registration exercise Ms Mpetsane said a total of 51 669 plots excluding ploughing fields had been surveyed through the ongoing registration project in Tati Tribal area.

She stated that efforts were ongoing to physically attach plot numbers on individual land parcels adding that this process was being frustrated by none development and non-demarcation of plots.

On the issue of human trafficking she noted that the department of social and Community Development had trained social workers and law enforcement officers on combating human trafficking.

She said human trafficking was a growing phenomenon with Botswana remaining a transit for the high level of crime against human rights and North East being no exception given its proximity to the border.

With regards to the ongoing general voter registration which commenced on September 3 to November 11, 2018, Ms Mpetsana appealed to all to and register so that they could vote in the 2019 general elections. ENDS