03 Sep 2023

Government has taken a decision to use drones as a security measure along the Botswana-Zimbabwe border, Tati East Member of Parliament, Dr Douglas Letsholathebe has  said. 

The MP explained during kgotla meetings in Matopi and Matsiloje on Thursday that the decision to use drones was to fight the escalating cross-border crime. 

He stated that the use of drones was not a new phenomenon as they were increasingly being used for border security around the world. 

He said the use of drones along the Botswana-Zimbabwe border was necessitated by the increase in cross-border crimes. 

Other factors that had forced the government to introduce drones was the illegal gold mining in Matsiloje and the outbreak of the Foot and Mouth Disease. 

He explained that many countries around the world had resorted to using drones to monitor and detect unauthorised border crossings. 

Dr Letsholathebe said the drones would be used around Bobonong to Maitengwe where there was an increase in illegal border crossing.

Kgosi Tshimologo Toteng of Matopi and Kgosi Eric Moipolai of Matsiloje complained about the increasing cases of illegal crossing between Botswana and Zimbabwe. 

Kgosi Toteng attributed the unauthorised movement of people from Zimbabwe to illegal gold mining in Matsiloje. 

Kgosi Moipolai said the illegal gold mining in the area was now out of control despite the efforts by the police to arrest perpetrators. 

The illegal miners are reported to have moved into some ploughing fields. 

Dr Letsholathebe explained that in the meantime, government had beefed up security along the border with the assistance of members of the Botswana Defence Force. 

Meanwhile, the MP, who is also  Minister of Education and Skills Development told the residents about the Seed Regulatory Bill that was passed in the last Parliament meeting. 

The regulation of seeds was important for a number of reasons that include ensuring that they were free from diseases and pests, and that they were of high quality,he said. 

He explained that the other aim of the bill was to protect farmers and consumers from seeds that were not suitable for their environment or that had been genetically modified in a way that was not considered safe. 

“The bill also seeks to ensure that seeds are not used for illegal or harmful purposes, such as growing crops that are not permitted in a certain area,” he added. 

Dr Letsholathebe also told the residents of the two villages that the gravel road between Robelela and Matsiloje would be upgraded to bitumen standard. 

He explained that the road would be constructed in two phases, with the first phase being from Robelela to Dikgathong Dam while the second phase would be from Dikgatong Dam to Matsiloje. 

He added that a site had been identified at Patayamatebele where a bridge would be constructed along the Tati River to connect the Tati East and Mmadinare constituencies. 

He said the construction of the road, which would be an alternative route due to the introduction of tollgates along the A1 road, would bring a lot of benefits, such as creation of jobs. 

For their part, residents of the two villages complained about the shortage of potable water in their villages. 

They told their MP that they could go up to a week without water, something which they said was not good for their health. 

They also appealed to the government to increase the quota of people hired in the Ipelegeng programme because it was the main source of employment in rural areas. 

Dr Letsholathebe assured the residents that the issue of shortage of potable water would be addressed by the upcoming Greater Francistown Water Master Plan, scheduled to start before the end of this year. ends