04 Sep 2022

People of Seolwane village in Tswapong have commended Parliament for passing the Pension Fund Amendment Bill at the just ended parliament winter session.

This follows an update by Member of Parliament for Lerala-Maunatlala constituency in a Kgotla meeting on the bills passed by parliament.

Mr Sethabelo Modukanele told constituents that the Pension Fund Amendment Bill aimed to allow employees to access a 50 per cent portion of their accumulated funds and invest while still working.

Ms Malebogo Loago applauded the move, saying if invested properly, the 50 per cent portion of the pension could help individuals achieve certain goals while still working.

She said with this development, people now had the chance to invest and build a better future.

Another speaker, Ms Galebue Malapela concurred, adding in the past, they had seen people getting a lump sum of retirement package only to misuse the funds.

On another matter, Ms Malebogo Loago complained about the P700 allowance given to Tirelo Sechaba participants.

She said the money was little for one to survive the cost of living was high.

“This is sad, these people have children to take care of. Food is expensive, no one can survive with this little amount in a month, government should consider increasing the allowance to P1000,” she said.

Meanwhile, in Majwaneng, residents said the gravel road that links Majwaneng and Lerala should be tarred.

Advancing their reasons, Mr Gabarati Olaotswe said they accessed health services in Lerala, and the road was the shortest route. 

Ms Onalenna Diboko said it was disappointing that at this stage the Majwaneng-Lerala road was still being talked about, saying it had been years now since residents had been pleading for it to be tarred.

Ms Veleminah Bagwasi talked about the Majwaneng clinic that had become overwhelmed due to population growth in the village.

She also requested that the number of nurses be increased from two to three.

Kgosi Gomolemo Molebatsi of Majwaneng, strongly criticized the attitude possessed by Botswana Power Corporation employees, saying they had poor customer care service.

He said for a long time now, the village experienced prolonged power outages due to dilapidated poles, which most of the were down and had posed danger to the lives of people of Majwaneng.

Kgosi Molebatsi highlighted that often times, these incidents were reported at BPC, only to get an unpleasant response by the staff. Ends