By Elezo Libanda
Katima Mulilo, Oct. 27 – The mass demonstration that was recently postponed indefinitely, is scheduled to take place today in Katima Mulilo in the Zambezi region.
People started arriving at the Choto sports complex as early as 06h00, and if the mass demonstration is successful, it will be the second of its kind.
The first was when people of the Zambezi region protested against the killing of innocent citizens by the Botswana Defence Force.
People from all corners of the region are expected to march peacefully in the streets of Katima Mulilo against alleged poor service delivery by both the regional and local authorities.
The residents have complained of poor road infrastructure, poor sewerage network, a CBD full of alcohol outlets, and public-private partnerships that never benefited the residents.
“It’s because of these issues that we have decided to combine efforts for our voices to be heard by both the regional and central government,” said one demonstrator who had arrived at the Choto sports field to take part in the demonstration.
“As residents of the Zambezi region, we feel there is no development taking place in this region, even money that the government allocated to the region was sent back to the central government as if we have no issues that need to be addressed, our leaders have failed us,” said a man identified as Zambwe Martin.
Another resident who preferred to remain anonymous told NDN she will be participating in the peaceful demonstration because she is fed up with poor service delivery mainly in the town of Katima Mulilo.
“We are told they want to develop Kongola and Bukalo. What will they do at the village council or settlement if they have failed to develop Katima Mulilo? We have only one town council in the Zambezi region, unlike other regions where they have several town councils or settlements, but they are developed.
“Katima Mulilo is like a village because everything here is in shambles, the rain season is coming and once again cars will be like speed boats because all the roads will be like rivers because Katima Mulilo doesn’t have a drainage system,” she said.
The demonstrators who are being led by the Zambezi Pressure Group are expected to hand over petitions to the regional and local authority councils.
