13 Jan 2025

Forensic audit of government funds is vital in fighting corruption.

Thus said the Member of Parliament for Tati East, Mr Tlhabologo Furniture when addressing residents of Tati Siding Saturday.

Mr Furniture said all such audits could help instil financial responsibility on government departments, adding that they should all make sure that funds were used accordingly

He further added that one of the pressing issues he raised in Parliament was that of foreign investors that came to Botswana, launch tourism businesses and take away revenue to their home countries.

He said such had impoverished Batswana and empowered other people.

“Batswana deserve to be given priority in local businesses so that they generate income, not other people generating income from Batswana,” said Mr Furniture.

For his part, Kgosi Simon Nkgageng of Tati Siding reminded the meeting that councillors and dikgosi did not carry out assessments in the village, but only facilitated the office of the social worker to carry out its duties.

He said residents should seek help concerning social safety nets from the social worker offices first before approaching other stakeholders.

Kgosi Nkgageng urged all stakeholders to join hands and work together so that the new government mandates could be achieved, saying effective communication and team work were vital in building good governance.

When giving an overview of Tati Siding, Village Development Committee chairperson, Mr Baorapedi Jacob said the post office project that the village longed for was effectively delivered through the assistance of the council and it was already in use.

Mr Jacob said the construction of Tati Siding kgotla shelter was lagging behind as the committee was trying to raise enough funds for the project. He complained that shortage of classrooms in primary schools had led to overcrowding.

Mr Jacob added that a request for the construction of more classrooms and a new secondary school to accommodate the growing village had been submitted to the council, adding that the rainy season had proven that there was poor storm water drainage leading to flooding in yards.

Mr Jacob said the council and other stakeholders were joining hands to make sure that people got proper assistance during rainy period.

For his part, Mr Matthews Nzwaligwa, a resident said Tati Siding was a growing village that required its own full council to operate and disperse services to its residents rather than sourcing most of the services from Masunga.

Ms Sennye Matsoo noted that there was no public transport from the side of the new plots and some people were attacked when walking to and from home. ENDS