22 Jan 2020

Residents of Ratlhomelang ward in Molepolole are considering to elevate the long pending dispute over Ratlhomelang cemetery to Office of the President.

During a Kgotla meeting addressed by Molepolole North Member of Parliament Mr Oabile Regoeng, recently the residents complained that the matter was  taking long, calling for a speedy resolution.

Residents told their MP, that the land tribunal was to blame for the delay as it had all the powers to resolve the issue but was not acting on it.

One a resident, Ms Kedumetse Majafe said Molepolole with over 66 000 people was forced to use one burial place, as the cemetery case had delayed.

Ratlhomelang ward Councillor, Mr Andrew Selwe called the tribunal officers presiding over the case to recuse themselves from the case, because they were taking the community for granted.

The Ratlhomelang Cemetry case, which is before the land tribunal has been dragging for over seven years, after Mr Ephraim Kgosiemang appealed the decision by Kweneng Land Board which ruled in favour of Kweneng District Council over the disputed cemetery plot in 2013.

Residents were of the view that the land Tribunal was not treating the matter with the urgency it deserved.

“We are aware that, cases before court were not supposed to be discussed to avoid prejudice but the manner in which the case was handled raised serious concern,” said Ms Majafe.

Ratlhomelang residents however concurred that the presiding officer should recuse himself because there was no progress on the matter.

Residents also want the matter to be elevated to Office of the President arguing that relevant ministry was not taking responsibility to encourage responsible officers to expedite the process.

Responding to the concerns, Mr Regoeng pleaded with the residents to meet the relevant minister on the issue.

On other matters, Mr Regoeng briefed residents about development projects earmarked for Molepolole, which included police station, sewerage project and the North South Water Carrier Two (NSC2) project at Gamononyane area.

He challenged residents to reduce food importation bill, saying Botswana has the potential to produce food.

He noted that there was need for the police to improve their turn-around time, while the community on the other hand should understand that Molepolole police were under resourced to address the high crime rate in the village.

One resident, Ms Dipuo Keaketswe called for close monitoring of development projects, citing the Ratotoboro bridge as one of the badly done project.

Mr Keabooka Modise raised concern about the appalling status of some local schools, citing Motswasele Junior Secondary School which had not been renovated since it was established.

Mr Tebogo Khudu encouraged those responsible for development processes in Molepolole to consider the importance of consultations before undertaking any development meant to  benefit the community.

He said the Molepolole Bus Terminal was not well positioned hence it would not benefit the residents. ENDS