16 Feb 2022

Construction of Semotswane-Mandunyane-Shashemoke-Borolong Chadibe-Mathangwane road to bitumen standard which includes construction of access roads from A30 to Makobo and Natale villages is still at an adjudication stage with the Public Procurement Asset and Disposal Board (PPADB).

Addressing Tonota Sub-district full council meeting, chairperson Mr Chrisjan Machokoto said the project had been delayed due to other pressing needs.

With regard to central government roads department, Mr Machokoto informed councillors that the department was unable to meet the gravelling demands of 105km road network due to the heavy rainfall received and limited resources.

“Majority of these roads are in a bad state and most of them require re-gravelling which the department is unable to undertake due to limited budget,” he said.

He explained that funds permitting, small contractors would be engaged to assist in the grading of these roads to improve their status.

Mr Machokoto also informed councillors that the reinstatement of Motloutse River Bridge along A1 Road is 100 per cent complete and under defects liability period which commenced on September and would end in September this year

On other issues, he said the Sub-District was currently implementing 17 destitute housing projects for the financial year 2020/2021 at P1.7million.

“The projects are at different stages of completion. With regard to the RADP projects, at least six projects for the financial year 2020/2021 are being implemented at P660 000 and all the six projects have been completed,” said Mr Machokoto.

Concerning the 2019/2020 constituency community projects, Mr Machokoto said a total of 24 projects were being implemented in the sub-district noting that 17 projects were complete while seven projects were between 79-99 per cent complete.

The chairperson said through the Economic Recovery Transformation Programme (ERTP) the sub-district recommended four RTP projects which include, construction of a 1 x 3 classroom block at Jamataka, maintenance of Tholodi Primary School facilities, construction of kitchen facilities and associated works at Itireleng Primary School as well as construction of school kitchen and associated works at Jamataka Primary School.  

To date, he said, maintenance of Tholodi Primary School facilities had been funded.

Furthermore, Mr Machokoto explained that the sub-district was also implementing the Selibe-Phikwe Diversification Unit Reservation Scheme which aims at resuscitating the Selibe-Phikwe region businesses that have been greatly affected by closure of the BCL Mine.

He explained that the scheme came as a result of a Presidential Directive which directed all government entities operating within the SPEDU region to reserve 30 per cent of their procurements budgets to SPEDU businesses.  

The chairperson also raised concern about the roaming livestock in villages.

“These livestock destroy property and pose danger to motorists. I will like to urge farmers to ensure that they keep their animals away from our villages and roads,” he added.

He warned that the Council will continue to impound roaming animals and their owners will have to pay to get them back.

On other issues, Mr Machokoto said water supply situation in the sub-district was currently adequate as most of the villages were supplied from a reliable source being Shashe Dam.

He explained that only three villages of Mabesekwa, Gojwane and Serule were supplied from boreholes while Natale and Jamataka were currently being supplied through bowsing. BOPA