15 Oct 2014

Residents of Mathangwane have complained that it has been years since they were promised to have the road connecting them to Chadibe/Borolong tarred.

The residents echoed the sentiments during a kgotla meeting addressed by the Minister of Transport and Communication, Mr Nonofo Molefhi recently.

A resident, Mr Andrew Basupi said during the last meeting with the minister, they had proposed that the road be done in phases more so that the distance between Mathangwane and Chadibe was only seven kilometres. He said the minister had promised to look into the matter.

Mr Basupi further noted that for all the years that they had been waiting, they were promised that it would be maintained but nothing had been done.

Furthermore, he said many water streams, which feed into Shashe River did not have culverts ,which could control the water to prevent it from overflowing. 

During the rainy season, he explained that many students who resided in places where they had to cross these streams failed to attend school as the streams overflew. 

He, nonetheless, appreciated that the bridge connecting them to Makobo was done but appealed that it would be better if the road was graded as it was an access road to many ploughing fields.

For his part, Minister Molefhi informed residents that government still has not managed to get funds to construct the road. However, he said that a contractor has been appointed to maintain it on monthly basis so that it could be in a good condition to be used until funds are secured.

He further informed them that there is an arrangement between his ministry and ministry of agriculture to maintain and care for access roads to ploughing fields.

This, however, he said, will be done on condition that there are records from agricultural demonstrators which fully indicate the quantity of yields produced from such fields.

He also noted that the government is also intending to have production areas which produces and register good number of yields to have utilities such as power, telecommunications and water brought closer to them. Ends