05 Jul 2020

Vice President Mr Slumber Tsogwane has commended the Tonota Emergency Operation Team COVID-19 for their selflessness in steering the COVID-19 assignments during and after the lockdown.

Speaking during a meeting with the team in Tonota, Mr Tsogwane said the President acted accordingly by declaring a State of Public Emergency to contain the spread of COVID-19.

Mr Tsogwane said although the State of Emergency was on its fourth month, it was wrong for companies to retrench workers hiding behind the declaration.

He noted that some companies paid their employees 50 per cent or did not pay them at all despite receiving wage subsidies from government. 

He warned that action would be taken against such companies which had defrauded government.

Mr Tsogwane also observed that prices of commodities procured for relief packages were inflated unreasonably.

He said that although the number of people gathering during funeral services and at churches was restricted to 50 people, the taskforce  was working on ways of increasing the number. 

Mr Tsogwane said the country had been demarcated into zones to contain the spread of coronavirus. On the issue of truck drivers, Mr Tsogwane said essential goods were important, hence such drivers were being tested and accommodated at designated areas.

Minister of Mineral Resources, Green Technology and Energy Security, Mr Lefoko Moagi said the disease had affected the economy and social life in different ways.

He said that petrol delivery was affected because some of the drivers tested positive and that delayed the delivery, forcing government to get petrol from the local reserves in Francistown, Ghanzi and Gaborone.

Mr Moagi said currently, the government was working on the biggest petrol reserve situated at Tshele Hills.

He noted that there was shortage of electricity due to maintenance or Morupule Power Station and he requested the community to use electricity sparingly in order to maintain a continuous supply and also consider using solar power and bio-gas.

Minister of Youth Empowerment, Sports and Culture Development (MYSC), Mr Tumiso Rakgare said his ministry was also affected as sporting activities, clubs and all entertainment life were stopped.

He said that the P2.8 million allocated for reviving sports and culture was abused as some people sent improper requests.

Assistant Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Mr Kgotla Autlwetse explained  that Ipelegeng had not been stopped, adding that 609 people had been employed under Ipelegeng in Tonota.

MP for Tonota, Mr Pono Moatlhodi said backlog eradication scheme did not reach Tonota, as some classes at Shashe Mooke Primary School were being conducted under trees.

Mr Moatlhodi said that in some instances parents had to buy chairs for their children to use at school, adding that 450 chairs were needed at the school.

MP Moatlhodi pointed out that it was disturbing to find out some learners at Tonota Junior Secondary School attended classes in a poultry house.

About 53 teachers were sharing 15 staff houses, he added noting that some government officials who once visited the school told the aggrieved teachers that they were not at that school for accommodation but for employment.

Mr Moatlhodi said that youth projects should be subjected to a vigorous supervision, noting that most of them were in bad condition or had collapsed. Ends