08 Oct 2020

Kweneng District Council (KDC) Secretary, Mr Goleba Kgari on Tuesday said the council had resolved to go digital, as a cost saving measure. 

Mr Kgari disclosed the intention to the ongoing full council meeting, revealing that the council had entered into a two-year contract with Orange Botswana.  

The council secretary said the project would be tested during the November full council meeting, where the session would be conducted virtually, without councillors having to travel to a central place as it is currently the case.

Mr Kgari said the objectives of the project were to reduce costs by moving away from paper work, improve time management and help reduce transport costs.

“We have already made trials in conducting management and some of the council committee meetings and we felt going digital was the finest way,” he said.

The Kweneng District Council chairperson, Mr Motlhophi Leo, concurred, saying they decided on the project to help reduce council expenditure that continued to escalate.

“We are grateful for the decision as it will not only reduce costs, but will play an important role towards empowerment of councillors to move along with the contemporary way of doing things,” he said 

Regarding the urgent need for a drainage system in Molepolole as raised by councillors, the council secretary felt a holistic approach was required through the district development master plan project that would incorporate requirements attached to it, although funds remained a challenge.

Regarding the Mafenyatlala Service Centre project, Mr Kgari confessed that it had failed to serve the purpose for which it was intended to due to unforeseen circumstances, hence the decision for a three-year contract extension, while mapping a way forward. 

Meanwhile, Councillor Osupile Metseebapile of Khudumelapye/Sesung felt the P150 fine for stray animals was too harsh, saying the situation was exacerbated by the lock down.  

Cllr Botokanyana Motoroko of Lentsweletau West, who had blamed the council for not implementing the bye-law, called for implementation for farmers to be able to take full responsibility for their livestock. 

Chief public health officer, Ms Neo Kachana said they were aware of delays in outsourcing refuse collection in the district due to tender adjudication. 

She said they had now resorted to cleanup campaigns in villages, while awaiting a long term solution.

Ms Kachana said village COVID-19 teams were requested to oversee refuse management in their respective areas. Ends