Council chairperson for the district Ketshwereng Galeragwe, who described the squatter camps as unsightly, told The Monitor of the dire circumstances the individuals face. “It seems these are forced by lack of jobs at the cattle post and come to Letlhakane hoping for a better life. Unfortunately, they find themselves worse off with no basics like food and shelter,” he said on Friday. Galeragwe appealed to the broader Letlhakane community, including businesses, to extend a helping hand to the Basarwa squatters. “Given our understanding of their situation, it's our responsibility to come to their aid. By joining forces, we can make a significant difference,” he emphasised the importance of collective action. With Letlhakane currently hosting more than 6,000 squatters, including some who are taking advantage of Basarwa’s plight, Galeragwe proposed that community leaders should develop strategies to address the situation.
He said this could involve finding ways to assist squatters in obtaining plots for land ownership to reduce the need for squatting. The council leader also emphasised that the failure to resolve matters concerning the waiting list for plot allocations contributes to the issue of squatting. Furthermore, to combat the high unemployment rate in Letlhakane, Galeragwe explained that some individuals migrate to the village with hope of securing jobs in the mining industry. When these opportunities don't materialise, some may turn to criminal activities, which have become a growing concern in the area. In response to these challenges, Galeragwe underscored the necessity for leaders to devise strategies to combat unemployment and youth-related issues. He warned that ignoring these challenges could exacerbate the crime rate in the region. Amongst other concerns, Galeragwe also highlighted the issue of high levels of violence in the area, often linked to excessive alcohol consumption.
