Knives out for Molao
Pini Bothoko | Thursday January 19, 2017 16:23
It is reported that on Tuesday during a Kgotla meeting in Sebina organised by the assistant minister, also area MP, residents accused him of failing to bring meaningful developments to the village. Last year Facebook followers created a movement called #‘We shall not forget’ that arose from a purported Facebook conversation that linked him (Molao) to Sebina village councillor Kemmonye Amon, who allegedly impregnated a secondary school girl.
Molao denied the Facebook conversation saying his Facebook account was hacked. Police later seized a laptop belonging to a Botswana Congress Party (BCP) activist, Motlhaleemang Moalosi, alleging that the Facebook conversation between them (Molao and Amon) originated from the laptop.
Moalosi later approached the High Court on urgency seeking the return of his laptop, but lost the case with costs.
Yet another campaign appears to be gaining momentum against Molao, this time from Sebina residents who are threatening to form a campaign titled # ‘O icheke’ to oust him in the upcoming general elections over his apparent neglect of their village. Residents are reported to be also not happy with the MP over the alleged Facebook conversation with Amon.
Reached for a comment, Kgosi Boyce Bagai of Nyanga ward in Sebina said residents are worried that for the past seven years Molao has failed to bring developments to the village.
“Yes it is true that some residents are not happy with Molao. On Tuesday during a kgotla meeting, residents voiced out their grievances in his presence and accused him of failing to bring services to the people and it's time he steps down,” Bagai said.
He said residents are worried that their village, despite being one of the oldest in Botswana is still lagging behind in developments. They point an accusing finger at Molao. “Residents said that they have long pleaded for a police station in their village, but to date Molao is failing to give them the right answer to when the station will be constructed.
“Residents are disappointed because they had also expected that the Economic Stimulus Programme will bring developments to their village, but only two nurses' houses are being constructed,” Bagai said.
The headman of Thene ward, Kgosi Kenosi Phuthego shared Bagai’s sentiments saying residents are worried that their village is still underdeveloped and relying on Tutume for most of services and at times they are forced to travel to Francistown for other amenities.
He said they have long pleaded for their clinic to be upgraded to a primary hospital because it also serves surrounding villages like Makuta, Marapong, Matenge and Marobela. Phuthego complained that their internal roads are dusty and as things stand they might not be upgraded any time soon.
He further lamented high unemployment rate in the village saying the villagers’ only source of income is from Ipelegeng.
Reached for comment, Molao said the people who were complaining are frustrated political rivals who are yet to recover from the 2014 general elections loss and always intimidate him during kgotla meetings.
He said he found tremendous support from the people of Sebina and was proud of them.
Commenting on developments in the village, Molao said the Sebina police station is due to be constructed in the financial year 2018/19 and the clinic will be upgraded to primary hospital level one (1) during NDP 11.
Molao promised that he would continue to strive for the best in his constituency as long as he is still MP for the area.