26 Jan 2025

Residents of Hatsalatladi have appealed to government to relocate their village after recent heavy rains exacerbated existing ground fissures.

At a kgotla meeting addressed by Minister for State President Mr Moeti Mohwasa, the villagers expressed their concerns about the geological instability of the area, particularly after the findings of a Botswana Geoscience Institute (BGI) report on the ground fissures.

The report, which was shared with the villagers, confirmed that the ground fissures were a result of deep-seated geological processes that have caused the ground to crack and shift.

The villagers expressed concern that this situation was unsustainable and posed a significant risk to their homes, as well as their health and safety.

Minister Mohwasa acknowledged the concern, but emphasised that Botswana was prone to a wide range of hazards, including flash floods, wildland fires, epidemics, animal diseases, and geological hazards.

He cited recent flash floods as a cause of significant property damage, loss of livelihoods, and even deaths due to drowning.

The minister went on to explain that the fissures in Hatsalatladi had been occurring for a long time as reflected in the name of the village itself, but seem to be worsening.

The fissures in Hatsalatladi were not only affecting the residents’ homes, but also public infrastructure such as roads and buildings as well as ploughing fields and cattle posts.

“In 2022, the government commissioned a study led by Botswana Geoscience Institute to investigate the cause and impact of these fissures,” Minister Mohwasa informed the residents.

He explained that the purpose of his visit was to present the findings of this study and gather further insights on the physical and socio-economic impacts of these fissures on the community.

Further, he said the report also identified extreme rainfall events as the main trigger for these fissures, which had been further exacerbated by poor natural drainage in the area.

As a result, some homes and public buildings might need to be relocated, and would work closely with affected families to ensure a smooth and sensitive transition.

“It is imperative that we revise our approach to building in Hatsalatladi, adopting new methods and locations that take the geological instability into account,” he said.

He went on to explain that the study concluded that certain areas in the village were unsuitable for development due to the presence of fissures.

Moving forward, he said ‘we as a country need to improve our understanding of the technical, financial, and social risks posed by geological hazards like these fissures.’

This knowledge, he stated, would enable citizens to construct infrastructure that was better equipped to withstand such risks, thereby protecting the people and property within the communities.

Mr Puso Akanyang, director of Science Delivery at BGI, presented a summary of their findings from the study.

Using geophysical techniques, he said the team discovered geological structures that created pathways for water to reach the surface, contributing to erosion and widening of surface fissures.

Mr Akanyang said that despite these findings, there was no indication that the entire village was at risk of being swallowed.

Nevertheless, he said the combination of geological and hydrogeological factors, along with heavy rainfall, were the main culprits behind the fissures.

“While the study took some time to complete, we are pleased with the findings. We were able to identify areas within Hatsalatladi that are at high, medium, and low risk,” he said.

On that note, he explained that the institute had advised the Ministry for State President to consult with the village and analyse the report findings, along with other assessments, to determine the best course of action.

Prior to the presentation of the report findings, Kgosi Saki Gabanamotse and other villagers had passionately urged the government to consider relocating the residents of Hatsalatladi to a safer area.

In response, Minister Mohwasa announced that a comprehensive consultation with the village residents would be held on February 10.

During this meeting, the report findings will be discussed alongside any other recommendations and perspectives to ensure an informed decision is made in the interest of the community. ENDS