23 May 2019

Despite efforts to mobilise and sensitise the community about efficient refuse collection services, there is still illegal dumping of waste, especially building rubble around Jwaneng.

This was said by Jwaneng township mayor, Mr Obed Monkge when officially opening a full council session on May 22.

He said illegal dumping was most rampant in the outskirts of the township, especially in the bushes along the road and the landfill.

Mr Monkge appealed to community leaders, especially Ward Development Committees (WDCs) and  councillors, to increase their efforts in sensitising the community and to report any culprits.

“It is everyone’s obligation and social responsibility to protect our environment against pollution of any nature,” he said.

Mr Monkge also said Jwaneng Town Council had experienced challenges in the collection of household waste in April and early May.

He said the challenge was due to the breakdown of refuse compactors, but that the situation has since stabilised.

Mr Monkge also informed councillors that the council continued to experience shortage of operational space for poverty eradication projects, noting that it ultimately led to the slow intake of the programme.

He added that it increased the challenge of lack of commitment among some beneficiaries, which ultimately led to a low number of operational projects that currently stand at 43 per cent.

He said the necessary support continued to encourage beneficiaries to commit.

Mr Monkge also decried poor attendance of kgotla meetings, saying it was a platform that was crucial in driving local governance and development at the grassroots level.

He appealed to members of the community to participate in the development of their localities through attendance of kgotla meetings.

On other issues, Mr Monkge informed councillors that lack of accommodation continued to frustrate transfers of skilled manpower at the District Heath Management Team.

He added that efforts to address the issue had been frustrated by the fact that the tender awarded for general maintenance of nurses flats at Unit 6 had not yet commenced, although the project was expected to improve the welfare of staff.

Mr Monkge also stressed the need to eliminate corruption through good governance within organisations, saying corruption was costly to society.

He added that there was no doubt that if corruption was left unabated, it could lead to consequences such as widespread poverty, social unrest and compromised service delivery. ENDS