23 May 2019

Residents of Otse in the South East District have applauded the council for its consultations on development issues in their region.

Residents expressed gratitude recently during a kgotla meeting addressed by South East District council chairperson, Mr Phenyo Segokgo in their village.

Despite challenges such as the lack of storm water drainage, dusty roads and un-graveled roads, residents said the council never shied away from sharing the challenges with them.

They said as a result of consultations they had seen developments such as paved roads and tower lights amongst others sprouting from their village, saying it had changed their lives for the better.

Nonetheless, there were those who felt that council needed to tighten its laces and address their challenges, especially paving of roads which they said was not adequate.

In his address, Mr Segokgo said there were projects in the district that had failed to produce the desired results.

He cited the partial servicing of Seuwane business plots as some of those that were a disappointment, but noted that the delay emanated from the appeal by contractors who were not successful in their bidding.

Mr Segokgo said in an effort to answer some of the residents’ plight, the council had managed to pave some of the roads in the village as well as installing three tower lights.

He said the council had also managed to do some partial storm water drainage in some areas, adding that funds permitting more drainage would be done.

The South East District council chairperson also told Otse residents that procurement of the compactor for the land fill was complete, and that the compactor would be delivered next month.

Mr Segokgo said the compactor was a solution to the smoke and stench emanating from the landfill, which the community had been complaining about.

Earlier, Kgosi Mothusi Tsetse said projects which were done in the village testified that the council leadership had been considerate of their concerns.

He encouraged the community to be considerate of the kgotla set up and avoid bringing politics into the platform.

He said councillors, its chairperson and dikgosi were employed by government and had a mandate to protect government whenever possible. He added that the community should not think of politicising community issues.

South East District council secretary, Mr Nelson Mogapi told residents that shortage of funds was the main reason why council had to prioritise projects.

He encouraged the village development committee, councillors and other stakeholders to prioritise their list of concerns so that whenever there were funds the council would have a list in place.

He told the meeting that the council only did projects which were recommend by the community. ENDS