17 Jan 2021

- Tonota Member of Parliament, Mr Pono Moatlhodi has appealed to Tonota residents and surrounding areas to develop their residential plots after allocation.

Addressing a leadership meeting in Tonota on Friday, Mr Moatlhodi said 554 plots that were allocated between 1998 and 2000 remained undeveloped in Tonota West.

Mr Moatlhodi also noted that the waiting list for plot allocation in Tonota stood at 110 000, and assured applicants that they would ultimately be assisted.

He attributed some of the delays in allocating plots to lack of services, noting that allocating un-serviced land was costly to beneficiaries.

Mr Moatlhodi also warned VDC members against misusing funds earned from rentals, saying they were public funds that needed to be accounted for.

The MP also noted that the Tonota VDC was owed more than P140 000 in rentals, and urged members to ensure that the debt was paid, adding that in future it would not be tolerated.

He appealed to all VDCs in Tonota to maintain rented houses so that they were appealing to customers.

Mr Moatlhodi also promised to make a follow-up on the P250 000 allocated to Manyanda Ward for the construction of houses to be leased to public officers. On other issues, Mr Moatlhodi said he supported the motion that allowances for Ipelegeng workers and VDC members should be increased to match the cost of living.

“There is no reason why allowances for Ipelegeng workers and VDC members cannot be increased, and if the budget permits and COVID-19 is over, I think government would consider doing so,” he said.

He noted that the majority of those engaged in Ipelegeng and VDC were women who looked after their families, saying paying them low wages was tantamount to abuse.

He paid tribute to women who earned little but still able to take care of their families.

Mr Moatlhodi also informed residents that the Semotswane-Mandunyane-Shashemooke-Borolong-Chadibe-Mathangwane road would be upgraded to bitumen this financial year with an intersection at Semotswane.

He further stated that the gravelling of the Tonota-Mabesekwa road was ongoing and that funds permitting, the road would be upgraded to bitumen standard.

For her part, Manyanda deputy VDC chairperson, Ms Moeng Majoo appealed for the purchasing of protective clothing for Ipelegeng workers.

She also requested government to increase allowances for Ipelegeng workers and VDC members. Ends