13 Nov 2013

The Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development has settled water bills for Hatsalatladi and Kopong tribal offices valued at P21 346.

The Assistant Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Ms Botlogile Tshireletso explained in response to a parliamentary question that her ministry was in the process of securing funds to pay outstanding bills amounting to P135 264 at the remaining five tribal offices of Mahetlwe, Medie, Boatlaname, Sojwe and Lephepe.

She said the ministry did not consider water disconnections appropriate, adding clients had been requested to use available pit latrines at the kgotla or nearby government facilities.

Ms Tshireletso said she did not consider non-provision of toilets a health hazard. She said three of the seven villages, Kopong, Hatsalatladi and Sojwe were not disconnected and from the four that were disconnected, only Mahetlwe did not have a pit latrine.

The minister was responding to a question from Kweneng East MP, Major General  Moeng Pheto who asked about the progress of water bill payments for the seven tribal administration offices.

He also asked the minister if she considered water disconnections appropriate and if not what will she do to ensure that public toilets were provided to clients. The MP further asked if the non-provision of toilets was not a health hazard and what the minister intended to do to address the situation.  ENDS