Network woes for Kgatleng residents

TELECOMS

By John Churu, Gaborone, Botswana

In a classic case of shooting oneself in the foot, Mochudi residents in the Kgatleng district are experiencing mobile network problems. This is after some tribal leaders in the district condemned the network towers as causing 'fatal health’ problems.

The media was awash with the actions of one Bakgatla chief who ordered the removal of the Mascom towers near residential areas and the nearby hills, saying they caused the death of his father. The paramount chief in question has since moved to Moruleng in South Africa.

In the meantime, incessant network problems continue to haunt residents, who have resolved to meet with the district council chairman to break the impasse with network providers lest they forever remain in the dark network-wise.

The chairman, Tona Mooketsi, urged local leaders that it was time political leaders meet with top royals there in order to unbundle the issue of network saturation in the district. “I think we should go and see Kgabo so that he calls Bakgatla again and show them the importance of having these towers,” he said.

According to the residents, these network problems mostly affect Mascom subscribers, according to Amogelang Sikelemani, a Mochudi resident. The problems also affect prepaid electricity users from the Botswana Power Corporation (BPC).

However, a Gaborone magistrate has since found some of these Bakgatla royals guilty of malicious damage to towers erected by Mascom.