18 Jul 2024

The relocation exercise of about 341 Qhorotsha community members to their newly established settlement will commence in September.

The relocation exercise has been dragging on for years due to lack of water, which was said to be a major challenge.

Currently, the people are squatting in Qhorotsha around cattleposts and boreholes of Splanplek, Romane, Mathomahibidu, Xoga, Kawekeno and Masogwana.

Qhorotsha falls in the category of Rural Area Dwellers and government took a decision to assist people in remote areas by improving their living conditions through availing opportunities and resources.

North West District Council chairperson, Mr Itumeleng Kelebetseng, confirmed in an interview that a decision had been taken to facilitate the relocation in September noting that all key stakeholders had been given two weeks to finalise logistics to pave the way for the exercise.

The exercise, he said, involved several departments to put their services in place and believed that after two weeks, they would have an exact date of when the relocation would commence.

Already, he said the issue of water, which had been challenge had been addressed.

The council has also constructed kraals, loading ramp, which have been idling for a long time and houses, have also been allocated to the beneficiaries.

Meanwhile, recently Mr Kelebetseng together with all key stakeholders visited the area to appreciate progress and also had a meeting with the inhabitants to update them.

During the meeting, he apologised for the delay to complete the project and assured residents that they would soon relocate to the area and enjoy services and opportunities availed.

He also informed residents that those with livestock would be relocated first.

Residents were also informed that funding for the construction of the kgotla had been secured.

The Deputy Council Secretary Operations, Ms Kebalepile Horatius, said the relocation exercise would be done in phases.

She also noted that they would do their best to ensure residents had access to basic services but stated that since there was no school at the moment, children would be under the custody of social workers while their parents relocate. Currently, the children are staying at Kareng hostels to access education at Kareng Primary School.

Mass assessment, she said, was long done but stated that they would re-do it to establish the assets they had and plan properly for the relocation.

For their part, some residents thanked the council chairperson for the positive feedback saying they waited patiently as the project was delaying for years and pleaded with all the relevant authorities to fast track the process, saying they could not wait to be relocated to their new place. ENDS