14 Nov 2023

Takatokwane Member of Parliament, Mr Tshoganetso Leuwe has challenged government to fast-track track upgrading of the Kgare/Sebotswane settlement to a village. 

Though long recommended to attain the status of a gazetted settlement, Mr Leuwe decried that even the said implementation was still lagging. 

“Gazetting the settlement will necessitate availing of basic needs to the area,” he said when responding to the State-of-the- Nation Address in Parliament on Monday.  He said residents of the said settlement were not accordingly enjoying government programmes and policies

He noted that the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development should provide all the necessary services including personnel. 

Currently, he said the ministry was delaying in filling of vacant posts for Dikgosi in the five villages of Tsetseng, Tshwaane, Takatokwane, Maboane and Ditshegwane. 

Mr Leuwe said some of the posts have been vacant for over two years, though they were not marred by disputes.  

He also appealed for the upgrading of Metsibotlhoko village to be headed by Headman of Records as it was currently under the Headman of Arbitration. 

Mr Leuwe also advised that a policy should be in place to guide transfers since some teachers had  overstayed in less developed areas while some schools operated without a School Head and Deputy.  

This, he said compromised the quality of education.  He said it was unfortunate to observe that teachers who have been devoted to running the school for far too long on acting appointments were hardily promoted, with some of the posts eventually being filled by officers from other locations. 

Mr Leuwe also appealed that all schools in his constituency from primary to secondary were in dire need of maintenance works. 

Further, he  said though efforts were made to upgrade water works and improve potable water supply across the country, some villages in his constituency such as Motokwe, Khudumelapye and Dutlwe were seriously affected by water shortage. 

He said even bowsing that was done to augment supply was far from managing the challenge. 

He also advised government to consider replacing the current water metres and residential locations with prepaid metres to manage exorbitant water bills. 

Mr Leuwe also appealed to government to speed up and finalise the process of upgrading health posts to clinics. 

He said efforts have been made to increase health personnel, but there was still a challenge of office space and staff accommodation. Ends