25 Aug 2022

Residents of Bothatogo and Bodibeng have been urged to desist from vandalising water infrastructure.

Maun Water Utilities Corporation (WUC) general manager, Mr Paul Mafavuneh made the appeal during a kgotla meeting at Phiriyatsana cattle post.

The aim of the meeting was to address vandalism of the pipeline from Semolo reverse osmosis plant.

The plant supplies Bothatogo, Kareng, Sehithwa, Bodibeng, Legotlhwane and Toteng with potable water.

Mr Mafavuneh said the destruction of infrastructure frustrated their efforts to supply the villages with water as expected.  

He said some villages such as Bothatogo were already experiencing water shortage, with residents resorting to drink water from other sources, which was unsafe.

He urged residents to the acts of vandalism as they were happening day and night, adding that it had come to light that some residents vandalised pipes to water their livestock, which was unacceptable as WUC was mandated to supply potable water for domestic purposes, not for livestock. 

Mr Mafavuneh said the corporation was committed to investing in water reticulation, but was forced to divert the funds to carry out maintenance.

Kgosi Gakebonwe Leduledi of Bothatogo urged residents to stop  vandalising the infrastructure  as it negated development and caused prolonged shortages of water in the village.

Ngami MP, Mr Caterpillar Hikuama also expressed concern at the growing rate of vandalism and called on residents to desist from tampering with the water infrastructure.

He said it was disconcerting that despite the continuous outcry, vandalism continued unabated in the area. 

He advised residents in settlements and cattle posts, which were not provided with potable water to raise their concerns in a responsible manner, rather than resorting to vandalism.

“We understand that you cannot relocate to areas where you can access potable water as livestock is your major source of income and I appeal to you to be responsible citizens, so that the government can listen to your plea,” he stressed.

Mr Hikuama further said the corporation was mandated to supply water in recognised settlements, adding that it was up to residents to challenge laws that deny them the opportunity to have access to potable water.

Mr Hikuama said the Semolo plant efficiency had gone down, and the minister recently told Parliament that it needed P60 million for rehabilitation, but only P10 million had been secured.

He praised WUC officers for displaying a high level of professionalism, saying they were cooperative and responded on time. BOPA