New Tlokweng MP has his job cut out for him

Newly-elected Member of Parliament for Tlokweng Constituency, Masego Segokgo says his priority for the constituency will be land.Segokgo was chosen the area MP during a by-election this past weekend.

Addressing the media after being announced the winner on Sunday, Segokgo stated that he would be going back to Batlokwa to find a way of working together to deal with the land crisis that has engulfed the village. Batlokwa are currently up in arms against government over land ownership.

Recently Minister of Land Management, Water and Sanitation Services Prince Maele said he would be holding talks with Batlokwa over the issue of ownership of Batlokwa land. Segokgo told the media that the issue of land is very sensitive and needs to be handled with due diligence. He promised to work closely with Batlokwa tribal leadership and other stakeholders in finding a better and long-term solution on the matter. He explained that while in Parliament he would influence through questions and motions decisions that would be beneficial to Batlokwa regarding land.

Segokgo who was representing Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) got 4 635 votes against Botswana Democratic Party (BDP)’s Elijah Katse who got 2156 votes and 57 votes for Independent candidate Shirley Segokgo. UDC Head of Communications, Moeti Mohwasa said they are grateful to party members who contributed to the campaign through their time, energy and resources to ensure the May 13th massacre of the ruling BDP which came into this by-election armed with huge resources and access to state machinery.

Mohwasa said what can be discerned from this by-election is that no amount of money can stop Batswana from voting for change. “We would like to call upon all the people of Tlokweng to work closely with their new MP to bring change and developments to their area. To the MP we say allow humility, respect and discipline to guide you in the execution of this mandate,” Mohwasa said.

BDP Secretary General Botsalo Ntuane said congratulations are in order for Segokgo. He revealed that as the BDP they did all they could to seize the constituency but the majority have decided that now was not the time for BDP. “The disappointment of electoral loss serves as a motivation to reflect and seek refined solutions to contemporary problems of our people. This we pledge to continually do,” said Ntuane.