Rain threatens congress

Ryder Gabathuse | Friday July 7, 2017 23:55

 

What started off as light rain showers metamorphosed into strong rainfall forcing people to seek refuge under the roofs of the Tonota College of Education (TCE) buildings. 

Traders who took advantage of the windfall from the party event, operated just in the open as there were no signs that it will rain at all. 

Just as it started raining, poor people were spotted laden with their wares as they escaped to their motor vehicles. Those without vehicles joined the rest of the people who had sought refuge under the roofs of school buildings. 

Although the rain had earlier showed signs of abating, it would later gather momentum and threatened to spoil the party. 

It seems when the plans for a congress that President Ian Khama hailed the host branch and region to have done a wonderful job, did not cater for a possibility of rain. 

The closed door sessions of the congress including the elections are held in a huge hired marquee tent which could prove problematic as the site gets wetter and wetter.

Chairman of the host party Francistown region, Baemedi Medupe indicated that they indeed have a contingency plan of utilising the main hall at TCE for the purpose of conducting the elections. 

'The situation is under control as we unfortunately have no control over nature. But, we have kept the situation under watch,' said Medupe.