23 Oct 2023

 Water Utilities Corporation (WUC) has disbursed P27 million towards the upgrading of the wastewater system to address the long-standing sewage woes around Jwaneng.

The tendering process will commence before the end of this month.

Jwaneng branch senior technician, Mr Motlotlegi Mosweu said this responding to residents’ concerns during a kgotla meeting addressed by the Member of Parliament for Jwaneng/Mabutsane, Mr Mephato Reatile on October 20.

Mr Mosweu noted that a total of P18 million would be channelled towards upgrading the sewage pipes in the seven units, while the remaining P9 million would be used at Unit 8.

“This is so because the other units use pipes while we use a different system at Unit 8,” he explained.

While he assured them that the projects would address the staunch sewage smells around the township, he implored residents to avoid throwing solid substances inside the pipes as they cause blockages.

He said WUC would embark on sensitisation engagements to educate members of the public on proper waste water management.   

On other issues, the residents decried low rate of residential plot allocations, resulting in overcrowding.

They said as a mining town, Jwaneng continued to experience an influx of people from various areas seeking employment opportunities.

One of the residents, Mr Ontiretse Mochekele said failure to allocate residential plots, also hampered on the growth and development of the town.

“Jwaneng is underdeveloped, yet it is home to one of the richest diamond mines in the world. The government should develop Unit 9 and 10 and start allocating plots there for this town to continue growing,” he said.

Another resident, Mr Victor Watshipi regretted that the waiting list for residential plots dated back to the 90s.

He said people should be allocated plots while they still had the capacity to develop them so that they could contribute towards the growth of the town.

“It takes many years for people to get plots and many of them end up retiring from gainful employment, hence losing their capacity to develop the plots,” he noted.

In response, Jwaneng Town Council deputy town clerk - technical services, Mr David Mogorosi acknowledged that plot allocation was slow, owing to budgetary constraints.

Consequently, he said the development of Units 9 and 10 would be submitted for consideration in the National Development Plan.

Additionally, he noted that technical glitches in the registration process had resulted in only 44 applicants receiving certificates, from a total of 75 that were allocated recently.

“From the 75, we managed to effectively assist about 44 and the council is working with the Department of Lands to ensure that the remaining are duly assisted,” he explained. ENDS