10 Jun 2019

 The South East District Council has acquired a P6.3 million compactor to be used at the landfill.

The land fill has for sometime been struggling with stench, flies and smoke due to inadequate compacting of waste deposited at the site.

Speaking during the official handing over of the machine to the council by Barloworld Equipment Botswana recently, council chairperson, Mr Phenyo Segokgo said the challenges had been a thorn on the flesh for residents, particularly those residing at Otse, Mogobane, the lands surroundings the landfill and those using the road passing near the site.

He said the problem resulted in confrontation between his office and councilors who felt the problem was not being addressed adequately.

Mr Segokgo said the problem was a health hazard to the community but noted that the council subscribed to Sustainable Development Goals of good health and wellbeing.

Maintaining the landfill, he said helped sustain livelihoods since there were those who made a living by collecting cans at the landfill for recycling but had not been doing so because of the condition of the landfill.

Mr Segokgo commended Barloworld Equipment for having delivered on time.

Barloworld sales consultant, Mr Tefo Batsalelwang said the compactor which had a lifespan of over 15 years, was the third in the country and had the capacity for future expansion.

He commended the council for including a training component because it was crucial for users to know how to operate it so that it lasted longer.

South East District deputy council secretary, Mr States Kabasia said the development was a relief to the council and the community.  ENDS