24 Jan 2021

As the country continues to experience heavy rains, Gweta residents are likely to experience floods as water from Makgadikgadi pans has started flowing into homesteads.

Briefing the meeting attended by the village leadership including the Nata/Gweta MP Mr Polson Majaga, the disaster committee chairperson Mr Ledule Baraki said already over 100 people from 56 households had been allocated tents because their houses had collapsed due to stagnant water in their yards.

Mr Baraki explained that the number of affected people included two elderly women aged over 90 years and one was a person with disability.

He however said they had suggested that the elderly people be moved to safer places but they had declined.

He also appealed to the village leadership to assist the disaster committee in persuading people in flood high risk areas to relocate until the situation had normalised.

Furthermore, he noted that back in 2017 when Cyclone Dineo hit the country; they faced a similar challenge of people who refused to move out of the affected homes, until it was too late as many lost their properties.

In addition, he stated that Gasebalwe primary school was also already covered in water hence they urged parents to assist at the school by digging temporary trenches to redirect the water.

For his part, MP Majaga reminded Nata/Gweta constituents that they should know that their constituency was flood prone area and they should always be on guard and ready to cooperate with the disaster committee.

He noted that the national disaster team through local committees was there to advise and help people by moving them to safer locations until the situation had improved hence the need to cooperate.

Mr Majaga further said for almost two months, a rescue boat had been stationed at Sepako to help people as the situation there was very bad.

He also highlighted that residents of Lepashe and Matsitama in Shashe West had been calling for help as the water was flowing into their houses.

He therefore called on Batswana to help government by protecting themselves as they were aware of what should be done when the floods hit their areas.

He informed the meeting that currently government was facing challenges of COVID-19, hence the need for people to help government combat the spread of the disease.

He said it was upon all individuals to ensure that the COVID-19 deaths did not rise and avoiding unnecessary movements. ENDS