04 Aug 2022

Residents of Tonota constituency want it divided into two.

Submitting their views before the Delimitation Commission in Tonota on Wednesday, they said the constituency’s population had increased tremendously, therefore there was need for two parliamentary representatives for efficient service delivery.

They also submitted that although there were only six villages in the constituency, it was vast.

First to take the podium was Semotswane Village Development Committee chairperson, Mr Emmanuel Nno, who suggested Tonota East and Tonota West. 

He argued that the population of each of the six villages had almost doubled.

Mr Nno said some villages that fell under Tati East constituency such as Ditladi and Patayamatebele, should come under one of the proposed Tonota constituencies.

He said another factor that necessitated an additional constituency was the state of the infrastructure, stressing that most of the roads were in a bad state, making it difficult for one MP to travel from one village to the other. 

For his part, Mandunyane representative, Mr Morgan Madumela said the division of the constituency was long overdue.

Mr Madumela submitted that Natale, Gojwane, Borolong and Jamataka should fall under one of the Tonota constituencies. 

Shashemooke representative, Mr Zibisani Mothokatlale added that some of the villages in the Tonota constituency were far apart from each other. 

He submitted that villages on the western side of the A1 highway should form Tonota West, with those in the eastern side forming Tonota East constituency.

Mabesekwa settlement representative, Mr Lesego Nkolobane submitted that Tonota constituency should be re-aligned to include some cattle posts and fields on the western side.

And Foley village representative, Mr Mosimanegape Shime argued that Foley should stand alone as a council ward.

For his part, Kgosi Dialwa Moalosi, who is also Tonota sub-region representative at Ntlo Ya Dikgosi, reiterated the factors advanced by others, adding that the population of the constituency stood at over 45 000, as per the last census. 

Earlier on, chairperson of the Commission, Justice Chris Gabanagae had informed the residents of the many factors that determined the increase of constituencies.

He cited population density, natural population interest, geographical features as well as lack of infrastructure and poor communications. ends