11 Jul 2021

Palapye has 166 planned open spaces, Assistant Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Mr Kgotla Autlwetse has said.

Answering a question in Parliament Thursday, Mr Autlwetse said the open spaces were demarcated through Palapye Development Plan (1995-2019), which was later revised to the Palapye Planning Area Development Plan (2007-2031).

Mr Autlwetse said only two open spaces had been developed at Serorome into an outdoor gym and sport ground for BPC Club at BHC junction.

Nonetheless, he said not all spaces were meant for infrastructure development, adding that ‘the primary use of open spaces is for recreation, promotion of social functions, preservation and conservation of land.’

He indicated that in an effort to effectively manage the use of various open spaces in a sustainable manner, the Central District Council (CDC) had developed guidelines for management and use of open spaces, which were approved in April this year.

“These were developed to monitor the ever growing trend of undeveloped open spaces, which if left unkept, pose a threat to the safety and security of the residents. It was established that these open spaces can be fully optimised through permitting the operation of micro enterprises like car wash, catering, recreation to mention but a few,” he said.

He said the approved guidelines had incorporated provision for leasing out some of the open spaces to the private sector or individuals through calls for Expression of Interest (EOI).

“I am aware that some unkept open spaces may attract criminals and the newly approved guidelines by Central District Council will ensure proper upkeep of all open spaces in Palapye and other villages,” he said.

Mr Autlwetse was responding to a question from Palapye MP, Mr Onneetse Ramogapi, who had asked the minister to apprise Parliament on open spaces in his constituency, stating their total number, when they were demarcated and the total number of developed open spaces against those that were not developed.

Mr Ramogapi also wanted clarity on the council’s plan regarding the open spaces. 

He further asked why individuals were not be given leases to develop or purchase the land and whether the minister was aware that such spaces were used for criminal activities. ends