'Financial challenges hinder GCC from fulfilling mandate'
Tsaone Basimanebotlhe | Wednesday December 3, 2025 06:00
Speaking during a full council meeting on Monday, he said the issues include, but are not limited to, inadequate city illumination, which compromises community safety, financial constraints that hinder service delivery, maintenance issues for facilities, especially schools, staff houses, and health facilities, and deteriorating roads that require ongoing repairs.
“Given these difficulties and the current lack of funding, the council must develop effective strategies to address these challenges. In this context, forming partnerships is crucial to support infrastructure development, as the government alone cannot shoulder these costs due to the prevailing economic conditions,” he said.
Furthermore, he said the approach aligns with the emphasis made in both the State of the Nation Address and the Budget and Economic Transformation Programme, which highlights the country's shift towards a private sector-led economy. “Partnerships and economic diversification are critical in driving sustainable growth and development,” he said.
However, he said the council is committed to addressing challenges through various approaches. He noted that to date, the council has established partnerships with multiple entities to help tackle issues, including revenue generation. He also pointed out that they have formed an Investment Committee and established a company tasked with driving their investment strategies.
“Some of our engagements with partners specifically target infrastructure challenges. We continue to appeal to investors worldwide to come forward and contribute to the development of our city, with the goal of achieving our vision of becoming the Diamond City,” he said.
Meanwhile, under the provisions of the Mental Disorders Act, he said the office recorded a total of 353 apprehension orders issued from April to October 2025 due to issues surrounding mental health and substance abuse.
“However, only 66 reception orders were subsequently made following medical assessment. This indicates that a significant proportion of individuals apprehended are later found not to have a mental disorder but rather to be experiencing the effects of drug and substance abuse,” he revealed.
He encouraged families and communities to seek early social, counselling, and rehabilitation support rather than relying solely on apprehensions as the point of intervention. By doing so, he said, this can ensure that individuals receive the appropriate assistance they need, which can lead to more effective outcomes for their well-being. Moreover, he said that this proactive approach will help alleviate the pressure on health and administrative systems, allowing resources to be utilised more efficiently.
“We must work together to promote awareness about available support services and encourage our communities to take these important steps toward addressing mental health and substance abuse issues early on,” he said.
Turning to another matter, he said the office of the district commissioner is experiencing a notable increase in requests for the facilitation of cross-border travel for children, particularly during school holidays and festive seasons.
“This trend underscores the importance of ensuring that all travel arrangements are handled with care and consideration. In cases where there are disputes regarding custody or consent for travel, it is crucial that these matters are addressed through the Magistrate’s Court. The legal system provides a structured and fair approach to resolving such disputes, ensuring that all voices are heard and that the rights of all parties are respected,” he said.