24 Oct 2022

Government is doing all it can to address water challenges at the newly established Qhorotsha settlement, and pave way for relocation.

The settlement is located West of Kareng village, some 30km away from Qabo settlement in the Ghanzi District.

Responding to residents’ comments during a kgotla meeting addresses by Member of Parliament for Ngami, Mr Caterpillar Hikuama in Kareng on Thursday, Maun Administrative Authority chairperson, Mr Vepaune Moreti said the relocation process was met with delays due to lack of water.

Qhorotsha falls in the category of Rural Area Dwellers (RADs) settlement and government took a stance to assist people in such places to improve their living conditions by availing opportunities and resources.

To that end, Mr Moreti requested residents to exercise  patience, adding, ‘we have engaged several experts to drill boreholes, but our efforts were in vain’.

However, he said an alternative well field was identified within the area even though its distance was a hindrance.

He assured them of government’s commitment to completing designation of the settlement and ensure access to services.

Earlier on, village development committee chairperson, Mr Keapoletswe Keapoletswe said for a project that commenced in 2017, progress was slow.

He pleaded for the project to be fast-tracked to enable residents to enjoy services under the Rural Area Development Programme (RADP), just like others in settlements of Somelo and Qabo among others.

A resident, Mr Mangana Xaogae said the project was taking too long and delaying relocation of about 405 residents who were hoping to relocate to the envisaged settlement.

For his part, Mr Hikuama also admitted that the project was moving slowly.

Meanwhile, the settlement will specifically target about 341 people, who are currently squatting in the Qhorotsha area around boreholes/cattleposts of Splanplek, Romane, Mathomahibidu, Xoga, Kawekeno and Masogwana.

Last year, it was reported that 341 beneficiaries and 25 households have been mobilised and assessed for relocation to the new settlement.

A layout has been completed consisting 660 plots, of which 600 are residential, 15 commercial, 22 institutional and open spaces,, three ploughing fields and 20 industrial plots. ENDs