03 Nov 2013

President Lt Gen. Seretse Khama Ian Khama, on November 2, walked the streets of Gaborone West South to interact with residents and appreciate the challenges they face. 

President Khama’s walkabout took him to the streets of Block 9, Phase 4, Bophirima, Mosekangwetsi and Morula wards where he interacted with the young and old.  At the end of the walk, President Khama implored various departments and parastatals to work together in order to provide quality service to the people. 

He promised residents that his office would liaise with relevant authorities to address their challenges. During the walkabout, residents expressed concern on the high rate of crime in their area and suggested that open spaces, which had become hiding places for criminals be debushed.

Cluster 3 neighbourhood watch chairperson, Mr Jackson Laba said a handful of people had been attacked in Marulamantsi. Area councillor, Mr Nunu Lekau requested President Khama to discuss with relevant authorities in order to establish a satelite police station and provide more flood lights in the area. 

Bophirima Ward Village Development Committee secretary, Ms Ntebaleng Kedumele said they had long complained about yards that became flooded during rainy periods but no action had been taken. 

Ms Kedumele said VDC had no storage facility to keep Ipelegeng equipment. Deputy city clerk, Mr Lebuile Israel told residents that as a long term solution to flooding in homes, government planned to build road side storm water drainage.

However, he said due to budgetary constraints, Gaborone City Council had not been able to start the project. On lack of storage facility, Mr Israel highlighted that the council had purchased delta huts to be used as a storeroom. 

One resident, Ms Masego Seribe complained about the Water Utilities Corporation high charges of P850 for sewage connections.  She told the President that they could not afford the once off payment and requested that they be allowed to pay installments. 

President Khama also took to the famous Mma-Masire grounds where he found the youth gathered for a community youth day. He was met with ululations as he walked across the exhibition stalls. 

At Morula and Mosekangwetsi ward, residents raised a concern about dusty roads and lack of business space to operate their welding and carpentry businesses. Currently, they said they operated from their yards. 

President Khama was accompanied by the Assistant Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Mr Olebile Gaborone, Member of Parliament for the area, Mr Botsalo Ntuane and local authorities. Ends