Speaking to Mmegi yesterday, councillor for Old Naledi Central, Oabile Mafunga said the majority of people who still aren't connected to the water network are those who are dealing with family disputes over inheritance. "You will find that parents or owners of the plot died a long time ago and the plot was never re-registered. Now there are fights over inheritance which have delayed re-registration of the plot and eventually application for water connection," he said.Moreover, plots that are still without water are those that have been rented out because their owners live outside Gaborone.
Mafunga said that it should be noted that though it is only 505 plots without water, a lot of people will be affected by the closure of standpipes."Each house shelters more than five people. There are children, mostly students, who would be seriously affected if standpipes are shut down." He is of the opinion that council should extend the date set to close the standpipes because a large number of people will be affected by this. He argues that the majority of Old Naledi residents do not have reliable jobs and are struggling to raise money for water connection. The standard rate for water connection is P1,500.
