08 Oct 2023

Parents have been implored to intervene and address the problem of drug and substance abuse in schools and not leave it to teachers only.

Member of Parliament for Letlhakeng/Lephephe, Mr Liakat Kablay made the plea during a Kgotla meeting in Lephephe recently.

He also raised concern about the increase of gender-based violence (GBV) mostly perpetrated by men.

On other issues, the MP said machines would not used during next general elections.

He informed residents that phones would not be allowed during voting to avoid cases of candidates  buying votes to win.

Residents also heard that the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) would open voters registration for next elections on  November 1. He said constituencies had been demarcated accordingly and had  been renamed.

Mr Kablay said the land board would  allocate land to residents. However, he said the government was unable to provide electricity and water in some areas.

The MP informed residents that electricity connection fee had been reduced and was to be paid in five to six years. He said the reduction only applied to people who did not earn much.

Mr Kablay advised the youth to use programmes availed by the government to create jobs by starting businesses or venture into farming.

He further explained that medicines were no longer dispensed in clinics but rather at hospitals as nurses had stopped performing the duty.

He also noted that there had been complaints of security guards not being paid or not being paid on time.

The MP told residents that the brigade would be completed soon and residents would be informed when it was ready to admit students.

VDC chairperson, Ms Kgomotso Keotshole, said complained that  they had been experiencing theft especially at the VDC office where materials and property used to assist the community had been stolen.

However, she reported they had built a house and a toilet for a needy family.

A resident, Mr Moaka Chaa, asked about the measures in place to address passion killings noting that perpetrators were often given bail after being arrested.

Mr Chaa added that they wanted to know the contractors the given the job to carry out maintenance of roads so that they could monitor their workmanship.

He also complained that it was  costly for them to be getting medicine only from hospitals instead of clinics because hospitals were far.

Reiterating Mr Chaa’s sentiments, Ms Botsang Ntwampe, asked why companies hired to fix the roads had not paid their employees as agreed.

On the drug abuse issue, she wondered why pupils were not searched upon entering the school premises.

Miss Khotso Segapo, stated that tenders in their village were awarded to businesses outside of Lephephe, which affected their businesses.

In response Mr Kablay informed the residents that their complaints would be looked into by the concerned departments in order to bring changes to the village.

He applauded the VDC for building a house and a toilet for a needy person.

The MP encouraged VDC house tenants to pay rent.

He said the issue of granting murders bail was still being discussed.

The Headmaster of Lephephe Primary School, Mr Motei Motei, requested for the renovation of the school buildings.

He also talked about shortage of printers especially at the critical time of examinations. He also indicated that they experience water shortage.

The Assistant Minister of Education and Skills Development, Ms Nnaniki Makwinja, who is also the MP of Lentsweletau/Mmopane, said she would look into the shortage of printers as well as the issue of the renovation of school buildings.

She said it was a prevalent problem affecting schools around the country.

Lentsweletau Chief Education Officer urged parents to play part in monitoring their children as they spend more time at home than at school.

He said this could address the problem of drugs and substance abuse. ENDS