28 Nov 2022

Letlhakane Abattoir is awaiting license issuance for to start  operating, district officer development Ms Patience Fanikiso said this on Wednesday when briefing Boteti sub-council session.

She indicated that maintenance of Letlhakane Abbatoir was funded by Lucara at over P2.2 million for phase one.  She said an assessment was conducted on September 29 this year by the department of veterinary services and a report was availed to the council by October 13.

The report called for attending to all defects including provision of adequate lighting within the slaughter house and around the kraals as well as fixing the sterilizer at the green offal room, she said.

 She said  that a final inspection was on November 11 and they were awaiting issuance of licence.

On other issues, she said the  rural electrification at Mmeya and Xere villages was at 80 per cent physical progress whilst Kedia was at 75 per cent physical progress. 

Regarding paving of roads, Ms Fanakiso said that pavement of 1.8 kilometers Letlhakane Phase two internal roads would be done at a contract sum of P5. 6 million Pula.

Ms Fanikiso said the project was still at pre-tender stage and bill of quantities was completed and awaiting to be handed to procurement department for vetting and advertising. 

Pot hole patching in the entire district she said was completed and the last ones to be attended were in Xhumo.

In her remarks, Councilor Ngongorego Motswaiso of Letlhakane West raised concerns that there was no proper consultation as far as progress of Letlhakane Abbatoir was cncerned. 

She also said there was no clarification on the exact challenges of Letlhakane Abbatoir.

Councilor Oitsile Mmatlakgomo stated that as Boteti farmers they wanted an abbatoir that could  be used for slaughtering their cattle not to privatise it. Councilor Aaron Baitsemang of Letlhakane South argued that they could not be dictated to privatise the Abbatoir.

In response Dr Mahubaneng of Letlhakane Veterinary office, said an abbatoir could only be licensed if it was compliant. He said the abbatoir had a shortfalls which led to its closure.  

Letlhakane Abbatoir he said was closed for refurbishment and the department of Veterinary Services was mandated to ensure that the abattoir was complaint   She assured councillors that the abattoir would be opened soon but would have to follow certain assessment process and issuance ao licence.

Ms Motswaiso complained that she had not seen any progress on spot improvement of Letlhakane roads saying she was against 100 per cent completion report on the project. BOPA