28 Nov 2023

Gaborone South Member of Parliament, Mr Dumezweni Mthimkhulu has requested government to consider constructing a primary hospital in Gaborone to ease congestion at Princess Marina Referral Hospital.

Responding to State-Of-the-Nation Address on Monday, Mr Mthimkhulu said the available clinics were not able to accommodate the increasing numbers of patients seeking medical attention.

He said in the absence of a primary hospital, residents who ended up going to Princess Marina without referrals were not given preferential treatment at the hospital despite the circumstances.

Mr Mthimkhulu also said  that Gaborone South residents had challenges of accessing medical attention after normal working hours as none of the health facilities in the constituency operated for 24 hours.

“At least have two (Old Naledi and Bontleng) of the three clinics in Gaborone South to operate 24 hours,” said Mr Mthimkhulu.

The MP appreciated  improvement of road networks in his constituency and welcomed the move for Constituency Community Projects (CCP) funds to go towards road projects.

He said the paving of roads in Gaborone South would commence soon. He also appreciated work done by local contractors who were awarded to maintain internal roads in his constituency in the past financial year.

He emphasised the need for the city council to support brick moulders at Gaborone Dam when it comes to projects done through CCP.

Mr Mthimkhulu expressed concern that the judiciary had been marred with controversies as some politicians were alleged to be influencing judges in their decision-making.

He said it was upon the judges to stamp their authority to protect the sanctity and integrity of the office.

He said horticultural farmers must also be protected against some foreign owned businesses believed to be engaged in the same trade thereby pushing locals out of the market.

For his part, Specially Elected Member of Parliament, Mr Kgotla Autlwetse called for the importation ban to be extended to other sectors of the economy where locals were doing better.

He cited the textile industry saying locals should be given a chance to design uniforms including that of disciplined forces and nurses.

Mr Autlwetse said with the advent of the Temo Letlotlo programme, it was important for the nation to venture into integrated farming, rather than to focus only on dry farming to ensure optimal utilisation of their ploughing fields.

He said irrigation farming and the textile industry had the potential to empower local businesses and grow the economy.

On the school feeding programme, Mr Autlwetse added that the move to buy produce from the local farmers was another avenue of opening up a market for local farm produce.

He applauded government for empowering women saying they were given equal opportunities like their male counterparts with many occupying executive positions both in government and the private sector.

Mr Autlwetse who is also the Minister of Local Government and Rural Development said the process of upgrading some sub-districts to districts was still ongoing with some services to be provided under the districts yet to be finalised.

He said the structure of the Department of Tribal Administration was still under review to make it at par with changes effected by upgrading of sub-districts.

On the issue raised by MP Mthimkhulu supporting brick moulders at Gaborone Dam for construction projects, Mr Autlwetse said Local Economic Drive advocated for the support of local businesses.

He said should it happen that they were not supported by the relevant authorities procuring services outside the constituency, such an issue ought to be fully investigated. ENDS