21 Apr 2022

 Residents of Tonota and surrounding villages have been urged to protect the Shashe River from sand mining and other human activities that may ultimately lead to it drying up.

Addressing a kgotla meeting in Tonota on Wednesday, the area MP, Mr Pono Moatlhodi expressed concern that the river, which used to be a jewel  and source of their livelihoods, was slowly dying due to poor management and activities such as illegal sand mining.

His comment came after the Umbrella Village Development Committee Chairperson, Mr Keletso Gabotswesepe and a handful of residents had lamented the illegal sand mining along the Shashe River. 

He said the river was not only overgrown with reeds, but had become a dumping site.  

Mr Moatlhodi, who is also the Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, informed residents that the river had a direct impact on the people’s lives as residents of villages along its banks depended on it for their livelihoods such as fishing and agriculture.

He said the river was also a precious source of fresh water, not only for human beings, but also for livestock.

On other issues, Mr Moatlhodi raised concern about escalating crime that include murder, rape, suicide, defilement, stock theft and missing persons in Tonota. 

He said no week passed without Tonota police receiving reports of such cases. 

“Tonota village needs peace and such peace can only be brought about by divine intervention,” he added, calling on different church denominations to pray for the village.

He said due to its proximity to Francistown, the village was visited by various people for investments and such crimes could deter investors. 

MP Moatlhodi also informed the residents that the envisaged Tonota Primary hospital was still on the pipeline, saying the project would be undertaken during or at the end of NDP 12. 

He explained that a plot for the project had been identified and that once funds were available, it would take off. He noted  that Masedi Clinic in Tonota was overwhelmed because it also catered for surrounding villages.  

The MP also said the problem of drug shortage in health facilities would be addressed, adding that it was not only a countrywide matter, but a global one.

Presenting the VDC report, Mr Gabotswesepe requested for a primary school in Tonota west because children traveled long distances to primary schools in Tonota East.

In addition, he said the children were prone to road accidents because they crossed the busy A1 highway, suggesting that a primary school catering for standard one up to four would alleviate the problem. 

Mr Gabotswesepe also requested for a health post at Tonota west. He said residents travelled a long distance to access health services at Masedi Clinic, noting that there was a serious shortage of public transport at the ward. 

He also requested for a mini fire station because Tonota village had experienced periodic fire outbreaks in the recent past. 

Earlier on in his welcome remarks, Kgosi Bokamoso Radipitse complained about most councillors not attending the meeting, but applauded residents for attending the first kgotla meeting by the area MP since the outbreak of COVID-19.

 

He also appealed to them to continue adhering to COVID-19 protocols to help contain the pandemic. Ends