09 Jun 2014

Xhana settlement in the North West District will not be covered by Boteti northern cluster rural water supply rehabilitation project.

A delegation from Chanoga led by Kgosi Setlhodi shared their displeasure at a stakeholder consultation meeting on progress of the clustered water project held at Moreomaoto on June 5.

The over P154 million water supply project, which is expected to be complete by January 26, 2016 will cover the villages of Khumaga, Moreomaoto, Motopi and Makalamabedi in Boteti in Central District.

The water network will also be extended to the villages of Chanoga, Makalamabedi and Phuduhudu in the North West District. Kgosi Setlhodi said he was aware that Xhana is not a gazetted settlement. He however added that even efforts to declare it a gazetted settlement failed as it does not qualify to assume such status.

Kgosi Setlhodi has further added that a resolution from the District Development Committee, has however resolved that even though Xhana is not a recognised settlement its community must be supplied with potable water.

The debate arose after Kgosi Setlhodi and his delegation had wanted to know as to why Xhana was shown in the map for the clustered villages to be covered by the water project as a location under Chanoga and not standing alone like all the other settlements. They had also wanted to know if the water supply rehabilitation project will connect Xhana with potable water.

WUC Waterworks engineer, Mr Kutlwano Simon has informed the stakeholder consultation meeting that Xhana as an ungazetted settlement will be included in the project.

The project chairperson from the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development, Ms Boitumelo Keabilwe has however assured the stakeholder meeting that the issue will be followed and fully investigated in order to reach an amicable solution.

Ms Keabilwe said the project team will also investigate the resolution taken by the DDC.

She however indicated that the project is being carried out in consultation with the office of the District Commissioner adding that it is unfortunate as the said resolution was never revealed in previous meetings. ENDS