09 Nov 2023

The Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development and the Francistown City Council have a standing arrangement for the provision of fire services in Tonota.

Answering a question in Parliament, local government and rural development assistant minister Mr Sethabelo Modukanele said it had not been possible to have a fire station in Tonota in the previous plans periods on account of budgetary constraints hence the arrangement.

He said in an endeavour to remedy the situation, the provision of fire services for Tonota through the Public Private Partnership model had been included in the Transitional National Development Plan (TNDP).

He said preparations were underway to facilitate the implementation of the project at Tonota, Shakawe, Masunga, Tutume, Nata, Gumare, Mahalapye, Hukuntsi, Ramotswa and Mmadinare during the TNDP.

He said the project would form part of the bids for the 2024/2023 financial year.

Mr Modukanele said he was aware that the lack of a fire station facility in Tonota had resulted in tragic fire incidents that destroyed property as well as the cemetery.

Tonota MP, Mr Pono Moatlhodi had asked the minister if he was aware that Tonota did not have a fire station facility and had experienced tragic fire incidents that destroyed property as well as the cemetery. Ends