15 Sep 2019

 Water shortage in Tati East constituency dominated the Radio Botswana parliamentary debate in Tshesebe on September 12.

The four prospective candidates vying for parliamentary seat raised a concern over water shortage in Tsamaya, Tshesebe, Siviya, Jackalas 2, Senyawe, Butale, Mabudzane and Themashanga.

The race would be between Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) represented by Dr Douglas Letsholathebe, Alliance for Progressives (AP) Mr Peter Ngoma, Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC), Ms Mathodi Modisapodi and Mr Tshwenyego Mbise of Botswana Patriotic Front (BPF).

Dr Letsholathebe admitted that water shortage in villages North of Francistown was a concern hence the BDP government saw it fit to acquire a P240 million loan from World Bank for the Tutume Sub-district and North East District water scheme to augment the water supply in North East District.

He noted that during the water reticulation network connection within the district from Ntimbale dam, the size and strength of pipes were overlooked hence making it difficult to carry large volumes of water.

Dr Letsholathebe called on voters to vote the BDP back into power so that it could continue with the water scheme project, which he said would ensure every Motswana had access to water.

He said assessments had been done to test the Siviya and Butale boreholes for rehabilitation, where water was tested and findings proved that the water was safe for drinking, adding that the boreholes would be able to supply water to the affected villages.

Dr Letsholathebe stated that shortage of land was worrisome in Tati East because some of the villages were surrounded by private farms and the Botswana /Zimbabwe fence.

He said government through Tati Land board had addressed the land shortage outcry as plots would be allocated in Jackalas 2, Matshelagabedi, Shashe Bridge and Tsamaya beginning of the year 2020.

The BDP prospective parliamentary candidate implored residents to vote him to Parliament so that he could create employment in the constituency, particularly that there was potential for youth business establishments in Tati East.

For her part, the UDC parliamentary hopeful, Ms Modisapodi concurred that there was shortage of land in Tati East because majority of land was privately owned.

She said she believed the constituency office should be within the constituency rather than being housed in a different location as is the current situation where Tati East office was in Francistown.

Ms Modisapodi said shortage of water  in Tati East was disheartening, more so that  Ntimbale, Shashe and Dikgatlhong dams were nearby.

She further noted that there was a need for an additional pump station at Ntimbale dam, which would boost water reticulation in Tati East.

She highlighted that lack of proper roads from Ditladi to Tonota was a barrier for farmers in Ditladi who produce vegetables but could not  transport them to Francistown where there are large market opportunities.

She stated the UDC promised to create 100 000 jobs , adding that the development of road infrastructure in the constituency would create opportunities and attract investors.

Ms Modisapodi said compensation for people whose cattle were slaughtered because of Foot and Mouth Disease in 2007 was too low because farmers spent lots of money on cattle.

Meanwhile, the BPF parliamentary hopeful, Mr Mbise stressed that water crisis in Tati East villages was worrisome , adding that residents often go for weeks without accessing portable water.

He noted that he believed unemployment was fueled by lack of water because youth could take advantage of water supply and establish businesses.

Also, he stated that it was high time the constituency had a 24-hour clinic rather than depending on Masunga hospital and Nyangabgwe.

Mr Mbise said the gravel road from Jackalas 1 through Jackalas 2 up to Matshelagabedi needed to be upgraded to bitumen standard to serve as a bypass.

For his part, the AP parliamentary hopeful Mr Ngoma reiterated that water crisis was disheartening because it had been years without sufficient water supply in villages from Tsamaya to Tshesebe.

He stated that it was disappointing that government was only taking action now to acquire funding from World Bank for the water scheme after  years of  water shortage.

He stated that under AP government, they would buy privately owned farms so that they allocate the land back to Batswana.

Mr Ngoma indicated that human wildlife conflict was becoming a problem in Ditladi, Patayamatebele and Matopi, as elephants continued to wipe out their crops year in year out, noting that there was need to act fast to address the problem.

Mr Ngoma said AP would re-open of Tati Nickel mine because its closure had crippled the economy. ENDS