02 Jun 2019

Member of Parliament for Francistown West Mr Ignatius Moswaane says Kanana Development Committee (WDC) of Gerald Estate in Francistown must be dissolved and a new committee be elected with immediate effect.

Addressing residents of Kanana Ward, Mr Moswaane accused  the committee of being politically influenced to refuse to attend his Kgotla meetings.

He claimed that the same committee lobbied residents to boycott his meetings.

He alleged that the committee members were being paid to influence people not attend his Kgotla meetings.

Mr Moswaane cited that they took a decision to construct a recreational park and a Kgotla shelter without their consent as they always failed to attend meetings.

He informed residents that Parliament approved more than P4.5 million for the construction of such and the WDC had pointed out that there was no plot for the construction of the mall in their area, saying such actions were tantamount to hijacking developments earmarked for the area.

On another issues, Mr Moswaane called on students not to engage in strikes, but take into consideration that government was paying for their education and allowances.

He said in other countries, parents paid for their children’s education. He noted that students in Botswana, were given P1 600 allowance, which he felt was little.

Mr Moswaane also asked parents to limit time children spent  watching television.

He encouraged youth in Gerald Estate to work on their business plans, submit them to his office . He further advised them to abstain from drug or alcohol abuse.

On citizenship issues, Mr Moswaane encouraged mothers to include children’s fathers in their children’s birth certificates.

For their part, residents lamented that their children were being admitted at secondary schools which were far from their homes and this was a burden to them as they had no funds to support them.

For her part, the social welfare officer, Ms Barati Gaotlhobogwe complained of shortage of vehicles which she said hampered  execution of duties.

Ms Gaotlhobogwe informed residents that assessments were made before one could be exempted from paying school fees.

Immigration officer, Mr Zachariah Phethu encouraged parents to register births of their children to acquire birth certificates.

Mr Phethu said foreigners employed as herd boy should not change their employment status without informing the immigration office. ENDS