18 Jan 2021

The MP for Shashe West, Mr Fidelis Molao says the outbreak of COVID-19 has derailed government’s development plans. 

Addressing kgotla meetings in Borolong and Chadibe recently, Mr Molao, who is also Minister of Basic Education, said some projects earmarked for the next financial year would have to be shelved in order to address the spread of the deadly virus. 

He described COVID-19 as an invisible enemy which required the imposition of restrictions such as curfews and lockdowns although they had a negative impact on the economy. He explained that due to COVID-19, government had taken a decision to freeze recruitments except for the ministries of basic education and health and wellness.

Mr Molao also told residents that his ministry was forced to cancel training sponsorship for 1 300 teachers.

He said COVID-19 was spreading at an alarming rate, and that Francistown and Maun had started to register more cases. He also noted that the new COVID-19 strain was present in the two areas.

He also noted that all the isolation centres around the country were overcrowded, including Sir Ketumile Masire Teaching Hospital in Gaborone. 

He urged Batswana to adhere to all COVID-19 protocols that include wearing of masks, sanitising or washing hands with soap and clean water, keeping social distance as well as avoiding unnecessary movement. 

On other issues, Mr Molao promised residents that the Semotswana, Mandunyane, Shashemooke, Borolong, Chadibe, Mathangwane road was still on the pipeline for tarring.

He explained that the road, which was at tendering stage, was earmarked for the next financial year. 

He noted that the cost of the road, which will have an interchange at Semotswana, had increased by over P200 million from the initial cost. 

Kgosi Israel Molema of Borolong informed the MP that the Shongwe Chena Mpatane Ward issue had been resolved and that it now fell under Borolong. 

Residents of Borolong and Chadibe were at loggerheads with each village claiming the ward.

Village Development Committee (VDC) chairperson, Mr Chakanngwa Madzonga informed the MP that they had been promised a service centre and the upgrading of their clinic to no avail. 

Mr Madzonga also called on government to increase VDC allowances because members now worked on a full-time basis. 

He also said Borolong had grown and should have a second primary school as well as a senior secondary school in the constituency. He added that their children were admitted at far away places, which was costly for parents.

He also advocated for a second junior secondary school in Borolong, saying a plot had already been identified. 

In response, Mr Molao explained that negotiations were underway to turn some junior secondary schools into unified secondary schools, and that Shashe West would benefit from the negotiations. 

Regarding service centres, he said government’s aim was to build them throughout the country in order to bring services closer to people, but that the problem was lack of funds. 

He said government also intended to increase VDC and old age pension allowances, and that the matter was on the table.

Mr Molao also briefed residents of the two villages on some of the bills that were passed in the previous parliamentary session. He mentioned the Sex Offenders’ Registry Bill and the ‘floor crossing bill.’

He explained that the Sex Offenders Registry Bill aimed to address gender-based violence and sexual offences. 

He said their prevalence and increase was a matter of concern to both the justice sector and the nation, and called for urgent intervention by way of legislative reform.

He said the bill also provided for the registration of sexual offenders and their monitoring and supervision after release from jail. He also said specific needs of child victims would be addressed through the establishment of child-friendly police stations and courts. 

He said the floor crossing bill was aimed at preventing the movement of politicians from one party to the other without firstly seeking permission from the electorate. 

Mr Molao said the bill proposed to cause a vacancy in the event an MP resigned from that political party.

He explained that some members, upon being elected, resigned from the party under whose banner they became a member. 

He said they should cease their membership of Parliament or council.

Mr Molao said the bill also proposed that a vacancy should be declared in the event a member, having been elected as an independent candidate, joined a political party. Ends