Author: Daily News

Francistown West legislator has appealed to the nation to support government in the establishment of a Constitutional Court.

Addressing Gerald Estates residents in Francistown on Monday, Mr Ignatius Moswaane highlighted the importance of having a Constitutional Court, saying it would among other things, protect citizens’ rights, promote justice and fairness in government decisions affecting communities.

Mr Moswaane further said a countrywide consultation on the introduction of the Constitutional Court would soon start to allow citizens to provide their input.

On other matters, Mr Moswaane informed the residents about the revised Village Development Committee guidelines, saying elections of new members would be held in due course.

Therefore, he encouraged residents to elect leaders based on merit, leadership ability and potential to deliver development.

“You must elect representatives based on merit and their ability to deliver results. Ask those who want to represent you what they will bring and how they will improve your lives,” he said.

He also encouraged the spirit of self-reliance among the residents, while at the same time urged the youth to enroll in schemes such as the National internship Programme and the Botswaa National Service programme, among others.

Also, he discouraged the excessive use of alcohol and drug abuse, urging residents to be responsible citizens and good role models for young people.

For his part, Moselewapula Ward councillor, Mr Thatayaone Keoletile said residents faced several challenges, including storm-water drainage, which caused flooding in many yards during the rainy season.

He said although the storm-water drainage system for Moselewapula had long been designed, lack of funding continued to delay its implementation.

Mr Keoletile also noted that theft of electrical cables had left some streets without lighting, posing a security risk. He added that Gerald Primary School faced a shortage of furniture, while unemployment in the area continued to rise.

Some residents also raised concerns about cable theft, urging the area MP to intervene. They also complained about persistent littering, which had contributed to the uncleanliness of the area

Government is doing all in its power to ensure that the county’s green zones maintain their status.

This follows reports of the Foot and Mouth Disease outbreak in South Africa’s North West province, which forms the southern boundary of Botswana.

With Botswana being a significant beef exporter to the EU market, the Ministry of Lands and Agriculture, has made a clarion call for Batswana to jealously protect the beef and livestock industry from the dreadful disease, by observing the laid disease control protocols.

The situation in the neighboring South Africa could ruin lives should the disease make its way into Botswana, the ministry of agriculture permanent secretary, Mr Kabelo Ebineng cautioned during a recent tour of the livestock disease control cordon fence along Molopo River.

He warned farmers to look after their cattle and ensure no contact with those of their neighbours in South Africa. Control measures will include destroying of animals from Botswana that cross over to South Africa where the disease has been detected. 

Animal disease control legislation empowers authorised persons to destroy animal infected or suspected of being infected or any animal which has been in contact with a diseased animal.

Farmers whose livestock will be destroyed will receive P700 compensation per cow and P200 for a goat while repeat offenders will only be entitled to P200 compensation for a cow and P25 per goat, Mr Ebineng stated.

Government erected a veterinary cordon fence along Molopo River between 2023 and 2024 in response to the FMD scare in South Africa’s North West Province and to protect Botswana’s cattle industry.

It also drilled boreholes along the frontier to keep livestock away from the river and surface water sources close to the border.

Mr Ebineng explained that any outbreak of FMD within a 10 kilometre radius from the export abattoir could cause cessation of operations at Botswana Meat Commission.

He also explained that the disease also posed a threat to the imported bulls and semen at Ramatlabama Artificial Insemination Ranch.

Meanwhile, there were reports of some farmers who continued to vandalise the fence and water their cattle in the river hence risking contact with South Africa livestock.

A resident of Matsiloje, Mr Nlebeswa Shabgwa has welcomed the scheduled consultation process on the establishment of the Constitutional Court to be conducted from January 16 to February 9.

Speaking in an interview after a kgotla meeting addressed by Tati East MP, Mr Thabologo Furniture in Matsiloje on Monday, Mr Shabgwa said the consultation process would give Batswana a chance to understand the court’s importance.

He said anything affecting the people should be taken to the people for consultation. He said it was ill-thought-out for government to have wanted to get Members of Parliament to approve the Constitution Amendment Bill without adequate consultation.

Mr Shabgwa also touched on the fate of the death penalty, saying it was also a matter that Batswana ought to have a say on.

He emphasised that although the current regime hinged on human rights, the issue of the death penalty should be decided by the people, and not by government alone, adding that the death penalty was still a legal punishment for murder under aggravated circumstances, with executions carried out by hanging.

He argued that Botswana’s constitution guaranteed the right to life, but also allowed the death penalty in certain circumstances.

Another resident, Mr Lawrence Chabane shared similar sentiments, saying the constitutional court’s establishment required a referendum for all Batswana to participate.

Both residents also welcomed the Francistown-Matsiloje Road reconstruction but suggested it should pass through other areas, including that from Matshelagabedi, the road should go to Mahatane, Pobepobe and then Matsiloje, to improve transport accessibility.

Earlier on, MP Furniture had informed the residents of the impending consultation process on the constitution’s review, with the objective of providing for the establishment of a constitutional court.

He had also informed the residents that the Francistown-Matsiloje Road was set to undergo reconstruction with a budget of P150 million allocated under the National Development Plan (NDP)12.

Mr Furniture stated that the project was currently at tendering stage following numerous court battles pertaining to the award of the tender.

Reacting to residents’ disappointment that the proposed road from Robelela, passing through Patayamatebele and Matopi settlements to Matsiloje, was not included in NDP 12 as initially agreed, Mr Furniture said NDP12 prioritised the upgrading of the Mmadinare-Tonota road to bitumen standard.

The MP also informed the residents that in keeping with government’s commitment to ensure decent jobs and welfare of workers, a decision had been made to review the Public Service outsourcing programme.

This review he said, was with regard to outsourced services such as security, cleaning, gardening and other services within the public service.

In his welcoming remarks, Kgosi Solomon Segopa expressed concern over female learners at Matsiloje Junior Secondary School engaging in cross border sexual relationships, urging parents to take responsibility for their children’s education.

He also highlighted ongoing issues including illegal gold mining and pending payments owed to former Mupane Gold mine employees.

For their part, some residents voiced concern about lack of potable water and also decried the absence of employment opportunities.

Others complained of poor internal roads and also pleaded for government to ensure that the village enjoyed equitable distribution and reticulation of electricity