16 Jan 2020

Member of Parliament for Bobonong, Mr Taolo Lucas has implored public officers in his constituency to exploit every opportunity available to create jobs.

Speaking during a meeting with heads of various government departments, Mr Lucas raised concerns about unemployment.

He appealed to public officers to, however they could, help facilitate private sector to create employment since public service was not generating anymore jobs.

“Whatever we can do, let’s do it to absorb a few that we can,” said Mr Lucas who said that his line of questioning, throughout the report presented to him by an officer from District Commissioner’s office Mr Claude Batsile, was biased towards job creation. 

The legislator called upon the officers to psyche up for flexibility in discharging their duties when working with him.

“I may inquire about some government business pertaining to the constituency at any opportune time and at any given time,” warned Mr Lucas. 

At the same meeting, Mr Lucas was presented with various issues that affected his constituents like cross border stock theft, poaching and crime in general.

Statistics showed that a total number of 58 cases of stock theft were reported between January to December 2019 where a total of 888 livestock were stolen against 19 cases involving 224 livestock in the same period of 2018. However, he was informed about some interventions such as increment of manpower at Tuli Circle. “The dealing in drugs especially dagga is a concern in the area. It is unfortunate that dagga has taken hold of our communities especially the youth. Substance abuse is the most contributory factor in the criminal behavior,” reads an extract from a report on crime in the constituency.

The report showed that criminals were mostly under the influence of drugs when committing heinous crimes such as rape and murder.

The police further stated that property stolen was sold for a sole purpose of using the monies to buy alcohol. 

The business community was no longer keeping large amount of money in their shops and this has led to criminals stealing alcohol beverages, read an excerpt from the report. ends