13 Jun 2019

A motion from Makwate/Taupye Councillor Baemedi Kudumane calling for the installation of traffic lights along the A1 at Watershed mall junction in Mahalapye has been referred to the sub-council’s finance committee as it has financial implications.

Referring the motion on June 12,, Mahalapye sub-council chairman, Councillor Tassman Cebani said the sub-council sitting was not in a position to make a decision on the motion before referring it to the finance committee for consideration.

“The motion will be discussed at the finance committee before coming to the house as the proposed projects has financial effects,” he said.

Cllr Cebani indicated that as per council standing order 5.7, any motion with the likelihood of adding on council expenditure might  be debated and referred to the relevant committee for further scrutiny.

Therefore, the council chairperson advised the house to refer the motion to the finance committee for advice. Cllr Kudumane’s motion was motivated by traffic congestion experienced along the main road at Watershed mall during traffic peak hours.

He therefore, called upon the council to consider installing traffic lights at the junction, which was the current entrance to Watershed mall, to control traffic flow.

However, based on the technical advice from the physical planning department, a decision was taken to defer the motion, and seek guidance from the finance committee.

Principal Physical Planner, Mr Pule Ramolemoge informed the sub-council that when Watershed mall was developed, the developer had planned to install traffic lights along the A1, at the intersection in front of the mall.

Nonetheless, Mr Ramolemoge said the intended development did not materialise as the advice from planners was that the proposed traffic lights would worsen the traffic congestion.

Mr Ramolemoge said the foreseeable development was to convert the current T-junction of Machaneng/A1 road into a four-way stop of which the management of Watershed mall was advised to consider that option.

As it stands, Mr Ramolemoge said, Watershed mall management was in the process of undertaking the proposed development.

In debating the motion, prior to the referral, Councillor Bantlhasetse Merementsi of Otse/Kodibeleng ward raised concern that council authorities were not giving motions presented before the sub-council, the much needed attention.

Cllr Merementsi said it was regrettable to note that the advice given to movers of motions was inadequate.

He further advised fellow councillors to thoroughly research issues before seeking the intervention of the council.

Mr Merementsi said the motion that was presented had financial implications, adding that establishing traffic lights was a project that must be budgeted for and therefore it would not be possible to consider in the middle of a planning period.

He said the current District Development Plan would come to an end in 2023 and he therefore wondered as to where the project would get funding if the motion went through.

He said the proposed development did not carry any form of urgency as the proposed development by the management of Watershed mall failed to address the matter.

 "Why not wait for the proposed development to be implemented first and see if it will address the current challenge," said Cllr Merementsi.

On the other hand, Nominated Councillor Keletso Phatedi supported the motion and  called upon the house, to allow Cllr Kudumane to present his argument.

Cllr Phatedi said traffic congestion was a serious challenge in Mahalapye.

He said it was possible that it might had not been a serious challenge at the time when the development plan was drafted, but it was now clear that traffic volume had increased and the plan should be revisited. ENDS