07 Jan 2025

Following negotiations with De Beers and reaching agreement, government has after 11 months, started to sell diamonds last month, a move that would hopefully revive the economy.

Member of Parliament for Francistown South Mr Wynter Mmolotsi told residents of Tshwaragano Ward during a kgotla meeting on Monday.

Mr Mmolotsi also Minister of Environment and Tourism said government was experiencing a deficit of P6 billion and it was affecting performance of the economy. 

“Going to elections, government had P1.9 billion in the Government Investment Account,” he said.  

He said to remedy the situation, government collected money owed by the Southern African Customs Union (SACU), to pay public servants amongst others.

He said government would continue to seek other measures to revive the economy so as to deliver on the election promise among them, the P1 800 for old age pensioners as well as the P2 500 for tertiary students. 

He said though government was broke, the country on the other hand was not because trading was ongoing and money transactions taking place. 

The minister told residents that government had suspended 70 projects awarded under the Direct Manager (DM) model, adding that 78 projects would continue but under review.

On horticulture restrictions, he said government had resolved to lift the vegetable importation ban following concerns and complaints from the public about quality and high prices of local vegetables.

In her welcome remarks, deputy court president for Phase 4 Ward, Ms Iris Butale advised Tshwaragano Ward residents to be cautious during the current rain season. 

She said parents should always ensure safety of their children to avoid tragedies.

Residents of Tshwaragano Ward appreciated the visit by their Member of Parliament, and raised concerns about the high crime rate, need for storm water drainage, high water bills by Water Utilities Corporation as well as water leakages around the city which lead to wastage of fresh portable water. ENDS