26 Jun 2024

Ramotswa District Council (RDC) is looking for an investor to develop the Ramotswa Mall project as negotiation with a prospective partner has collapsed. 

This was highlighted by RDC chairperson, Mr Zaahid Jalal, during the ordinary full council session on Monday. 

Mr Jalal said negotiations between the council and the prospective partner collapsed in April this year and the council was looking for other models to solicit for other partners to develop the mall as the project is long overdue. 

“It is expected in our autumn session to have secured an investor through the PPP model as there has been enquiries and interests. Furthermore, an expression of interest was advertised for the market stalls to pave way for the construction of a potential commercial centre, which did not yield any interest and will be re-advertised and improved outreach to secure interest,” he added. 

In other matters, Mr Jalal said the construction of the 25km internal roads, implemented through the Development Manager (DM) model and awarded to ProServe Consulting/ NMA & Mercury Engineers Consultants was progressing well as investigations to inform the design concept had been completed. 

He said currently, the designs were at an advanced stage, and upon approval, a contractor would be appointed to commence work on site. 

He noted that reconstruction for the collapsed Boatle interchange slope had been awarded by the Ministry of Transport and Public Works and the contractor was expected on site to commence works. 

He added that the 7km Mokolodi access road was yet to be finalised as the consultant had been appointed. 

Mr Jalal said the district was not doing well under the implementation of the Constituency Community Projects, as it was still carrying out projects for 2022/23 and 2023/24 financial years such as water reticulation to Disana implemented in collaboration with WUC and the construction of a river crossing culvert at Llara Lands. 

He said the implementation of paving at Otse and the construction of culverts at Lesetlheng and Ratauyagae had also been hampered by a litigation process, which was currently at Tribunal. 

Mr Jalal indicated that water supply in Ga-Malete district was still not satisfactory in most parts. He explained that WUC had highlighted that these water challenges would be addressed upon completion of the Lobatse Master Water Plan project. 

“Although the pipeline to Lobatse has long been completed, it is evident that other components of this big project are still lagging behind. On a positive note, the 110 million litres a day water treatment plant at Mmamashia is nearing completion with the contractor currently installing all the necessary fittings such as pumps and electric control boards,” he added. 

Mr Jalal added that the pipeline from Dikgatlhong Dam was almost completed with only one phase of that project currently being installed. 

He said the substantial completion of the project was projected to be the end of July 2024 with pressure testing of the lines and commissioning of the plant and water supply envisaged to start in August 2024. 

On another positive note, Mr Jalal said phase 1 of the Magope-Disana project, which was done under constituency community funding in collaboration with WUC, entailed construction of a pump station at Sepitswana, construction of a 3.5km pipeline and a storage funded to the tune of over P16 million. 

“Phase II of the project funded by the WUC estimated at around P30 million is underway to construct a main ring network around Magope/Disana wards. The ITT documents have been submitted to the Corporation’s procurement unit and floating expected to start on the first week of July 2024. 

Evaluation is scheduled for the first week of August 2024 and construction is expected to take at least 12 months since the area is rocky,” he said. ends