Border dispute laid to rest in Chadibe, Borolong

PINI BOTHOKO
Correspondent | Wednesday July 24, 2013 00:00

The border feud had even spilt over into the mutual resentment of sharing councillors, something that had been going on for many years.It is, however, hoped that the separation of the wards will calm emotions between the two villages and usher in a period of peace.

After the report was officially released last week, Mmegi visited residents of the two villages to get their views on the issue. Botlhale Mogome, a youth in Borolong village who is also active in politics, said that they had been waiting patiently for the decision to be taken.

'This is what we have long wanted for in our village, to be a ward on our own and not to share with Natale and Chadibe villages.   'I think even developments in our village will be visible, as the government will release services straight to our village without consulting the three villages as  used to be the case,' he said. 'There has been a misunderstanding among residents of Mpatane ward as to where they fall, vis-a-vis  Borolong or Chadibe villages, but now they know where they belong and where they will vote.

'Polling stations have also been identified in the government gazette,' said Mogome. He added that before Chadibe/Borolong ward was separated, it encompassed Natale village which is about six kilometres away resulting in a huge workload for the councillor. 'It was a challenge for our ward councillor to perform his duties in the three villages with neighbouring lands included.

'We welcome the report with both hands as our councillor will be responsible to us (Borolong residents) alone,' said Mogome.Oduetse Mbulawa, a resident of Chadibe, said they had long wanted their village to be a ward on its own because they felt that in terms of population Borolong/Chadibe ward was big. 'Our councillor was also overwhelmed with the workload of the three villages that develop everyday, especially that we are located near the city of Francistown,' he said.

He said that residents also wanted to have their own representative from their village who knew and understood the background of their problems in the village. 'Being combined with Borolong was a challenge because they beat us in population numbers. We do appreciate that we are now a ward but unfortunately our village has been divided into three,' he said. Mbulawa said that some of the residents of Chadibe voted in Mathangwane and others in Borolong, something that did not make them happy. 'We submitted to the delimitation committee that our ward should be from Metsi Masweu stream where we border with Mathangwane, up to Tlhalogang River where we border with Borolong,' said Mbulawa.

He said that residents were not happy about this and felt that it was done deliberately as these are disputed areas.'Complaints will be lodged with the relevant authorities,' said Mbulawa. Reached for comment, the Chadibe/Borolong Councillor Jabulani Vuke said that he was happy that his workload had been reduced because it was hard to visit the three villages. 'We spend most of our times at council in Serowe and sometimes it takes me months to meet my constituents, something that has brought doubts in their minds why they voted for me, especially Chadibe residents.

'They think that since I am a resident of Borolong, I may not have time for them,' said Vuke.   Vuke said that it was always war between the two villages when projects were awarded. 'They accused me of favouring one village over the other. With only one village to oversee, I think it is a good thing for my job,' he said.