Mohale’s Hoek, June 01 — Chief of Ha Tabaliatile, Chief Khobotle Khobotle says they are willing to give a newly elected water committee a chance to prove itself after an incident in which community members dissolved the old one.
Chief Khobotle stated this in an interview with the Agency by noting that villagers were no longer satisfied with the previous one, but pointed out that there were personal issues surrounding the decision, which were unfortunately brought into the working environment.
He further indicated that villagers were in particular displeased about one ‘Matumelo Lebatama, a chairperson whom they claimed has been in the same position since 1986, however indicated that there are some who are still not happy with the newly elected committee.
On the other hand, Qhoasing Counsellor Mr. Mojalefa Makhaleme stated that the water committee selection process proceeded without a hitch, with the only challenge being members of the previous one refusing to be selected into the new one.
Mr. Makhaleme further indicated that villagers expressed their dissatisfaction about Lebatama whom they reported was no longer consulting other members when making decisions, and that during recruitment of labourers to the new water project the latter hired the ones she knew, instead of letting the committee handle the recruitment process.
He further indicated that villagers also complained about a water tap which was constructed in the yard of a family from which Lebamata’s daughter was married into.
Lebatama admitted to having been chairing the committee since 1986, however pointed out that during that time whenever positions became vacant, villagers would fill them with nominated members, adding the new committee was established and trained with guidance from the Department of Rural Water Supply in 2024.
Moreover, Lebatama highlighted that community members agreed that the tap be constructed in the mentioned yard, and that was before her daughter got married into that family, noting the issue is more personal.
DRWS’s Community Liaison Officer, Ms. Mats’eliso Mokhutlole articulated that the department always advises communities to keep a long serving water committee member when selecting a new one, hence Lebatama’s long term as a chairperson, however noted the office has not been given the names of the new committee members.
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