Molebatsi Abhors Renaming Of Former Kgatleng East
Goitsemodimo Kaelo | Monday April 16, 2018 13:33
UDC’s second vice president Dumelang Saleshando officially launched Molebatsi at Notwane grounds in Mochudi on Saturday, just a week before the constituency holds its by-elections. Following his launch, Molebatsi said Mochudi East constituency is one of the largest constituencies. He said he was not at peace with the constituency being called Mochudi East instead of Kgatleng East, as it was known before the delimitation exercise in 2013. He said to him Kgatleng East was more relevant as it encompassed all villages in the area.
He said the decision was done in bad faith in disrespect of Bakgatla.“The constituency should not be called Mochudi East, but Kgatleng East. This was done by those who disrespect Bakgatla,” he said. Molebatsi’s argument is that, Mochudi East has 11 wards, three of which namely Boseja South, Boseja North and Boseja Central are found within Mochudi. The other eight namely Bokaa, Malolwane, Matebele, Mmathubudukwane-Ramonaka, Modipane, Oodi, Sikwane-Mabalane and Oliphant’s Drift-Ramotlabaki are villages outside Mochudi. When the delimitation committee came up with the new names back in 2013, many people had objections, but were told that the new constituency names would not be changed until after 10 years when another delimitation committee is appointed.
Meanwhile, Molebatsi pleaded with the constituents to vote for him because he is the right candidate to represent them in Parliament.
“The area is under-developed. We have many problems including the issue of the sewage pond in Boseja North. The smell from that pond has made the lives of the people in the area a misery. They cannot even enjoy their meals, but nothing has been done,” he said. He said that Bokaa village is troubled by water shortages although there is a dam in the area.
“The problem has always persisted because the water is taken to Gaborone while the area’s residents are going thirsty. The only time they are going to see water is when the dam is overflowing and is about to drown them,” he added.
Mochudi East by-election will be held on April 21, 2018 pitting Molebatsi against Mpho Moruakgomo of Botswana Democratic Party’s (BDP). The constituency fell vacant following the death of Isaac Davids who was allegedly murdered by his farm boys in January this year. Prior to his untimely death, Davids had rejoined the BDP, though he was still to be welcomed officially.