12 May 2022

Residents of Oliphant’s Drift have welcomed the planned maintenance of the road linking their village to the Mochudi-Sikwane road, which would be carried out by district roads department soon.

The residents have been complaining about the deplorable state of the road, which is littered with huge and dangerous potholes, that have since been exacerbated by the recent heavy rains.

“We are appealing for assistance to get our road repaired as we have already incurred so much loss and damage to our vehicles, owing to the recent heavy rains,” they said.

They said the situation compelled private vehicle owners to charge exorbitant fees when ferrying people to different destinations.

During a kgotla meeting addressed by the Mochudi East MP, Mr Mabuse Pule on Tuesday, Principal Roads Technical Officer, Mr Tlhomamang Hambira told residents that the department had quantified the extent of damage, hence maintenance would be carried soon.

He also revealed that a burrow pit with desirable gravel had been identified at Mmathubudukwane.

Kgosi Modise Mohutsiwa appealed for maintenance of the border patrol fence, while Village Development Committee (VDC) chairperson, Mr Oratile Matetewane appealed for increase of Ipelegeng workers from the current 65 to 80, saying the current number did not serve residents well.

He apprised the meeting about VDC cash generating projects among them the brick-moulding and also appealed to council to assist with furnishing the VDC office.

He said completed projects included a coughing spot at the local health facility and a recreational park.

Mr Matetewane also requested the Water Utilities Corporation to attend to the malfunctioning public standpipes.

For his part, Mr Pule, who is also Assistant Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, advised the VDC to initiate income generating and sustainable projects.

“You should propose projects that are not hand to mouth and that could be funded through Constituency Community Projects fund,” he said.

He also briefed residents about the bills that were passed during the last Parliament session. 

Mr Pule said the Ipelegeng programme had been improved to leave a lasting legacy, adding that it would now be a labour intensive public works programme for maintenance of public facilities.

He said the improved Ipelegeng programme would benefit those engaged as it would them acquire artisan/handyman skills in plumbing, plastering and bricklaying; among others.

Mr Pule stated that the improved Ipelegeng was being piloted in Ramotswa.

Meanwhile, the MP expressed displeasure at non attendance of kgotla meetings by district heads of departments to provide answers to residents.

For her part, Oliphant’s Drift/Ramotlabaki councillor, Ms Elizabeth Linchwe encouraged residents to start backyard gardens in the wake of rising food prices. Ends