27 Sep 2023

 Residents of Tsau have been urged to remain calm as the ministry of Local Government and Rural Development will handle the issue of bogosi accordingly.

The advice was made by Ngami constituency area MP, Mr Caterpilar Hikuama during a kgotla meeting when responding to concerns about about the delay in approving the name of their preferred candidate as headman of records. Resident had elected the candidate last year following a proper procedures facilitated by  officials from Batawana tribal authority.However the , the approval processhas been delayed which prompted frustrations among some residents.

However, Mr Hikuama encouraged residents to be patient citing that the issue of bogosi was sensitive hence the need to address it in a calm manner and treading carefully on it.  “Since I was equally concerned with the delay, I followed the issue and learnt that the ministry has returned the documents to Batawana tribal last month because there were some things needed to be clarified. Once all is clarified, it will be upon the relevant minister to approve the name,” he added.  He appealed to residents to avoid spreading allegations that may cause divisions and conflicts within the community.

He acknowledged the community’s efforts  in reacing a consensus  and submitting the candidate name in a timely manner.  c

.In his remarks, Tsau village chief, Kgosi Gaetimelwe Keathotswe said he was overwhelmed by workload hence the community elected a candidate of their choice to relief him but there was no positive response.

Some residents, he said were accusing him of going against their wishes in appointing headman of records despite his efforts to take up the issue with the paramount chief, Kgosi Tawana Moremi who informed him that the issue was being handled by the minister.

On other issues, Kgosi Keathotswe expressed concern about the village trust saying it had dismally failed the community citing that in other villages, trusts have ventured into some income generating projects to empower their communities.

Tsau, Semboyo Makakung Development Trust, he said had been allocated NG 5 concession which was rich in wildlife species but the community had not benefited anything from the trust. He said trust chairperson had since resigned because of funds mismanagement by some boardmembers, noting that they long sought intervention from the district commissioner’s office but in vain.

Village Development Committee chairperson, Mr Calson Kenosi decried escalating incidents of crime in the village noting that they pinned their hopes in the envisaged construction of a police satellite. He said they hoped that the project would be completed on time and more officers be deployed to restore order and stability in the area.

He also requested that Construction Industry Trust Fund (CITF) School be upgraded to a college and subjects related to the mining industry be introduced.

In response, Mr Hikuama said some trust board members took advantage of the community’s lack of understanding on trust operation hence funds embezzlement was rife. Board members, he said put their interest first at the expense of the community and hoped that the district commissioner would intervene accordingly.

Sehithwa police station commander, Superintendent, Nshaki Mabophiwa told the gathering that they had terminated the contract of the company engaged to construct the police post adding that a new contractor would be engaged to complete the project.

Currently, he said tenders were at adjudication stage. He concurred that crime was rampant in Tsau and expressed concern that residents were frustrating their efforts as they had the tendency of withdrawing cases. He cautioned gun owners to keep them in safe; out of reach of children.

Recklessness and negligence in guns handling he said were a concern citing that they experienced incidents where people had left guns loaded unsecured, which ended up discharging and accidentally injuring or killing someone.  ENDS