16 Jan 2014

Francistown South MP, Mr Wynter Mmolotsi has informed residents of Somerset East that government has decided that in addition to compensation for making way for developments, the size of the plot will also be considered.

This is only available to the 43 residents of Somerset East who were moved to pave way for the A1 road. Addressing a kgotla meeting on Wednesday, January 16, Mr Mmolotsi said government realised that the plots at Gerald Estate that were given to people who paved way for the Tonota-Francistown Road construction were much smaller than their current plots.

Mr Mmolotsi lamented that in some instances, it was difficult for those who were relocated to build the same type of houses in Gerald Estate because of smaller plots. He however commended the residents who paved way for the construction of the road. On other issues, the MP informed the residents about the relocation of the Diamond Trading Company (DTC) from London to Gaborone.

He said the relocation is an advantage to Batswana as they will be able to buy and sell diamonds wherever they can get market. Mr Mmolotsi encouraged the residents to establish the requirements for acquiring licenses for buying and selling diamonds in order for them to take advantage of the opportunity to improve their livelihoods. On the State of the Nation Address, Mr Mmolotsi said the President indicated that there is a problem of illegal immigrants.

He said last year, 31 461 illegal immigrants were registered but, Botswana could not take any measures apart from repatriation because of the international protocols. Still on issues of immigration, the legislator encouraged those with dual citizenship to renounce the other one when they attain 21 years to avoid inconveniences. He said the total amount of renouncing citizenship is P210.

Earlier, the Ward Development Committee (WDC) chairperson, Mr Molaodi Maiketso said following complaints that private owned pre-schools were expensive, government will open a pre-school at Mahube primary effective February and he encouraged the residents to start registering their children. On other issues, Mr Maiketso said the squatters in Somerset East

have been relocated because Naledi Motors and Adansonia Hotel are in the process of developing the area. Mr Maiketso decried the delay in acquiring the title deed for the ward’s kgotla plot, which he said delays its development.

In his welcome remarks, the Donga Customary Court President, Kgosi Harmony Moyo said the lack of attendance of MP’s kgotla meetings by public officers was worrisome. He said the presence of officers at such meetings was paramount because they are better positioned to respond to the queries of the community. In response, MP Mmolotsi said the non-attendance of public officers at his meetings leaves him with no option but, to enquire some issues such as that of the title deeds from the relevant ministers. ENDS