Mogo Block 4 residents in isolation ( 04 July, 2007)

MOGODITSHANE - Residents of Block 4 are uncertain as to whether they fall under Tsolamosese or Nkoyaphiri ward.

During a special meeting called by the MP for Mogoditshane, Mr Patrick Masimolole, the residents said they lived in isolation and that they did not know their headman, councillor or even village development committee (VDC) members.

Mr Johnson Kebalepile, one of the residents, said their residential plots indicated that they belonged to Nkoyaphiri ward but during the previous elections they voted at polling stations that did not fall under the same ward.

Thus, it now appears they fell under Tsolamosese ward.

Mr Kebalepile said as a result, residents did not know their councillor as there were no meetings held in their area.

He said the residents were not even invited to kgotla meetings at Tsolamosese. The residents had also waited a long time to be connected to the sewerage system. And, the Kweneng District Council did not empty their rubbish bins.

Mr Kebalepile said residents even thought of taking up their concerns to the Thamaga Sub Land Board since it was the one which allocated them plots in the 1980s.

We are just in isolation and so we appeal to you for help, he said. Ms Keitumetse Panda, another resident, said the residents only get to know of government schemes through the news media.

Ms Panda said they did not know where to go for more information on schemes such as ALDEP and youth grants which could help improve their lives.

Ms Panda also complained of a thick bush in the area which harboured criminals and had been turned into a dumping site for all sorts of rubbish Mr Godiraone Letsholo said children walked long distances to Mogoditshane Primary School and cross the main road at risk of accidents. He appealed for a primary school in Block 4.

For her part, Ms Margaret Nyepesi, said police officers never patrolled the area and did not respond to clarion calls.

However an officer representing Mogoditshane Police, said police were doing their best to fight crime but there was shortage of personnel and resources as they cover a wide area ranging from Kopong, Metsimotlhabe, Gabane, Mogoditshane, Mantsie, Block 9, Mmopane and Tsolamosese.

Responding to some of their concerns, Mr Masimolole said police were doing their best to fight crime but they could only be effective with the help of the community.

Mr Masimolole said Block 4 was made part of Tsolamosese in 2001 following a demlimitation commission.

He advised them to consult with the Tsolamosese headman and to take part in VDC activities.

On other issues, Mr Masimolole told residents that prepaid electricity metres were about to be installed in Mogoditshane.

Regarding late delivery of food baskets and expired foods , he said government would soon introduce food coupons to allow people a choice of what and where to buy.

Mr Masimolole said a senior secondary school was to be built in Mogoditshane. Anti retroviral drugs would soon be distributed at Nkoyaphiri Clinic.