24 Jun 2024

Some North West District councillors are calling for a forensic audit of the pending project at the newly established Qhorotsha settlement, located west of Kareng in the Ngamiland district. 

They are concerned that despite efforts to implement various developmental projects at the settlement, such as constructing houses and kraals, the project has not materialised, leading to idling structures that are exposed to vandalism.

Qhorotsha, designated as a Rural Area Dwellers settlement, was established to assist people living in remote areas to improve their living conditions by providing opportunities and resources. 

However, the project has faced significant delays, primarily due to a lack of water, which is a major challenge hindering the relocation exercise. 

The area’s declaration was made in 2013 within the Kareng extension.

Initially, a borehole was drilled and equipped, but it collapsed later on. 

Subsequent efforts to locate another borehole proved unsuccessful as the surveyed area turned out to be unviable.

During discussions on the annual development plan report, councillors expressed  concern over the substantial financial investments made by the council in establishing the settlement. 

A forensic audit may provide insights into why the project has stalled and help address the challenges faced in completing the relocation exercise and improving conditions in Qhorotsha.

 Cllr Kaukapita Kaukapita of Sedie ward noted that every year, the council allocated funds for the envisaged Qhorotsha project to undertake some developments which ended up as white elephants as they had been informed that the relocation process was delayed due to lack of water in the area.

He questioned if there was any plan to address the issue by facilitating the relocation process and setting up RADS squatters around boreholes and cattle posts of Romane, Masogwana and Spanplek among others.

Cllr Ntlogelang Kebonyekgotla of Boyei ward concurred that the delay to complete the project was worrisome and proposed that a forensic audit should be conducted so that they could appreciate what was happening at the site.

He appreciated that the project was implemented through a Presidential Directive to assist inhabitants to improve their living conditions by availing opportunities and services closer to them but expressed disappointment saying the council had dismally failed the inhabitants. 

The council, he said, seemed not to see the urgency of the project to facilitate relocation so that the community could enjoy services.

Kareng/Sehithwa area councillor, Mr Petrus Tjetjoo also expressed disappointment with regard to the project saying currently there were a lot of delaying tactics to complete the establishment of the settlement and pave way for relocation.

“This settlement aimed to restore dignity of the indigenous people who had long been deprived  of their rights. May we up our game because these inhabitants deserve to be given a platform to have a place where they can call home. Initially, our aim was to relocate them in six months to serve them closer and faster because currently they are suffering but there is no progress,” he added.

In response, chief physical planning officer, Mr Allen Monnaamasole said that water reticulation contractor had completed the surveying exercise at the site and submitted a report which the technical team would look into and map a way forward with regard to water reticulation.

The council chairperson, Mr Itumeleng Kelebetseng has organised a tour to the site on July 3, to appreciate and consequently address the inhabitants at Kareng.

Currently there were no health, education and kgotla facilities at the newly established settlement.

Meanwhile,  the project which dated back to 2013, was conceived as a Presidential decision to accommodate about 300 people so that they could access basic services in the Rural Area Dwellers (RADs) category.

The settlement would specifically target about 341 people, who are currently squatting in the Qhorotsha area around boreholes/cattleposts of Splanplek, Romane, Mathomahibidu, Xoga, Kawekeno and Masogwana. ENDS