15 Sep 2022

Bokaa residents have expressed support for  government’s decision to ban importation of vegetables.

Speaking at a kgotla meeting addressed by MP for Mochudi East, Mr Mabuse Pule on Wednesday, they said the decision was a good move, which would help the country achieve self-sustenance on food as well as support of local farmers.

VDC chairperson, Mr  Bosie Mogome said the initiative supported Batswana farmers and promoted agricultural independence since Batswana had mostly relied on supply from neighbouring countries.

He also commended government for declaring the drought year with some relief measures put in place to cushion farmers.

Residents complained about youth unemployment, cut off point of students’ enrolment in tertiary education, citing that government should take note of disruptions caused by COVID-19.

They also called on government to expedite plot allocations and, address shortage of nurses at a local clinic including shortage of medication.

For his part, MP Pule apprised the residents about the 18 laws that were passed during the just-ended winter Parliament, among them the amendment of the Retirement Pension Fund Act. 

He informed them that Parliament agreed that retirees would now be allowed to access their pension in order to help themselves when the need arose. 

He said the new act would allow retirees to encash part of their funds.

The other law they were apprised about was the Value Added Tax Amendment Bill regarding reduction of standard VAT rate from 14 per cent to 12 per cent to curb inflation on some products. 

He said the reduction in the VAT rate would be for six months starting August in some products such as cooking oil.

Mr Pule also informed residents that Parliament also gave thumbs up to the bill that increases the number of constituencies - the Constitution Amendment Bill that would see the number of constituencies increase from 57 to 61.

He further implored residents to attend the delimitation meetings in the district and even to engage collectively on their presentations to the delimitation committee.

“I encourage you to present as a collective to the delimitation committee so that you speak with one voice,” he stated.

On other issues Mr Pule who is also the Assistant Minister of Local government and Rural Development informed residents that the Ipelegeng programme would be improved to become a labour-intensive public works programme for maintenance of public facilities.

 He said the pilot project for the programme was undertaken at South East District and that it would be rolled out to other districts to ensure that artisans in the villages benefited.

He also informed residents that the Constituency Community Projects (CCP) funds were delayed following commencement of the financial year, something he said would affect development projects.

In that regard, he promised them that the ministry would try to expedite the release of funds to meet community project timelines.

Residents had complained that implementation of some CCP projects was delayed including refurbishment of some buildings and maintenance of internal roads.

Regarding the shortage of vaccines, he encouraged health authorities to ensure they do floor managing at clinics to ensure elders do not queue for medication that was not available at local clinics and further encouraged them to prescribe all the required medication so that those who can afford to buy them should procure them at pharmacies.

Meanwhile Kgatleng District deputy Council Secretary - technical services, Mr Masiela Mandoze encouraged VDC to submit their projects for CCP funding and for guidance by the council leadership. 

He said council was available to facilitate their priority projects.

“While we wait for CCP funds, we want to know which projects are prioritised for Bokaa,” he said.

He also assured them that internal roads would be completed and that another cell had been designated for the landfill.

Bokaa Cllr, Mr Joseph Sebina encouraged public officers to address kgotla meetings on government programmes and not only wait for MPs kgotla meetings.

He informed residents that the road levy funds would be used for re-sealing of some roads including Bokaa.

Mr Sebina also called on land board to ensure that plot allocations gave priority to the Bokaa residents, calling for the 60:40 ratio in plot allocations.

Meanwhile the Oodi sub-landboard chairperson, Mr Mothusi Molefe called on residents to stop selling plots. 

He appealed to them to be cautious especially since they were in the proximity of the city. BOPA