Dumped waste a danger to Ledumadumane residents

FREDERICK KEBADIRETSE
Staff Writer | Friday August 12, 2011 00:00

 

At the Ledumadumane Kgotla yesterday, Moamogwe launched a scathing attack  against residents of greater Gaborone for using the village as a dumping ground for all sorts of waste. He said they usually find waste dumped in the village streets when they wake up in the morning, a sign that the activity was done during the night when the residents were asleep.

Moamogwe said the waste poses a health hazard to the community because of its pungent smell that attracts flies. He said they have raised concern about the matter with council officials in the past who responded through the Ipelegeng programme. However, this has proved to be of little help as council has failed to collect the litter gathered by Ipelegeng employees.

He said the litter remains uncollected for weeks if not months on end and is eventually scattered all over the place by dogs. 

Moamogwe was speaking at an event to receive trees donated by area councillor Banks Ndebele. He complained about lack of synergy by residents of the two Ledumadumane council wards evidenced by their continued failure to attend Kgotla meetings and other community gatherings.

 He said it was up to the two area councillors, Ndebele (Kgwanyape/Mogoditshane north) and Johnson Roland (Mogoditshane central north) to unite the residents as they all belong to Ledumadumane. Meanwhile, Ndebele donated 108 trees to the area as a way of preserving vegetation and educating residents on the importance of the topic.

He told residents that it is important to plant trees in their homes as they are a symbol of life and bring much benefit such as decoration, purifying the air, acting as wind breakers and helping prevent soil erosion. Councillor Ndebele said he purchased the trees from a Molepolole-based home horticulturist Obopile Fifing as a way of encouraging those who care about the environment to preserve vegetation. The trees were donated to Ledumadumane Junior Secondary School, the primary school as well as the community.

Gaborone Central MP Dumelang Saleshando who was the guest of honour at the event planted a tree at the Kgotla. Saleshando applauded Ndebele and said the donation helps involve the whole community fight the world concern of global warming. He called on Ledumadumane residents to preserve their surroundings as research has shown that trees are cut down at a faster rate than they are planted.