08 Sep 2014

Boteti Sub-district councillors have disputed a report stating that farmers in Boteti have accepted a final ranch allocation proposal.

This follows Orapa Today, Boteti Tomorrow project which involves expansion of the game park, hence relocation of farmers to pave way for it.

When giving the sub-district development committee report to the sub-council, the district officer development, Ms Nobuhle Mbusi said farmers were satisfied with the proposed allocation and were willing to relocate anytime.

Ms Mbusi indicated that social impact exercise and borehole assessment were undertaken on June 17-20 this year by social and community development and department of water affairs adding that reports compilation was ongoing.

Farmers’ property assessment, she said, was undertaken from June 17-19 this year and the assessment report was currently at the department of lands awaiting approval.She observed that final ranch allocation proposal for ranch allocation was presented to farmers on a consultative meeting on August 01 this year, and farmers accepted the proposal.

Ms Mbusi said the game park component committee has chosen December 2014 as the tentative date for relocation.

When commenting, Councillor Thomas Kgethenyane of Moreomaoto-Khumaga dismissed the report saying farmers did not agree with the proposal during a meeting intended to brief the councilors on Orapa Today, Boteti Tomorrow project held in Orapa.

Councillor Kgethenyane was adamant that he would not support the proposal.

Councillor Sydney Bothokobotsile expressed concern that there were some farmers who have been left out during the consultations, requesting an explanation on how the issues would be addressed.

Meanwhile, Councillor Matshwenyego Shaka of Mopipi said the report given differed with the farmers’ views and their stand regarding the relocation. ENDS