25 Jun 2015

The Minister of Lands and Housing, Mr Prince Maele, has pleaded with Mabutsane residents to desist from selling plots.

Addressing a kgotla meeting in Mabutsane recently, Mr Maele said Mabutsane residents and those in surrounding villages were fortunate to have been allocated fertile land, which was suitable for agricultural activities. 

He also noted that the fact that the Trans Kalahari Highway passed through their village was an advantage to the residents and the development of the village.

The minister noted that even though the population of Botswana had been increasing over the years, the same could not be said about the land.  He therefore said land was scarce and the allocation of plots could not match the high demand.

He said instead of selling plots, they should lease out to those who had the financial muscle to develop them. 

This, he noted, will benefit them in the long run and help sustain their families.
He said regrettably a total of 80 plots were sold in Mabutsane from 2011 to date, most of which he said were residential plots.

Furthermore, Mr Maele said he was concerned about the high number of undeveloped plots, which he said were a hindrance to development. 

He said his ministry had resorted to repossessing of plots which had long been allocated but were still to be developed.
He said dilapidated buildings will also be repossessed and re-allocated to those who were willing to develop.

He also noted that squatting was a great concern all over the country despite the government’s efforts to curb it. 

He said they were faced with a challenge because some political leaders were working against government’s efforts to remove squatters.

Mr Maele further acknowledged concerns about plot application waiting list, which he said would in future be made public to promote transparency and regain the ministry’s trust. 

He said this would reduce perceptions of dubious land allocation procedures amongst members of the public.

He urged residents to bear with them because most of the time the land boards allocated plots where there were no services. 

This, he noted, was due to the fact that there was too much pressure from Batswana to be allocated plots, while on the other hand other stakeholders do not have the capacity to service the land.

For their part, the residents concurred with the minister that selling of plots was not good for both the sellers and the development of the village.

One of the residents, Mr Kesolofetse Phuduhudu said that corruption in land boards was due to meager income of officers, who resort to solicit bribes to augment their income.

Another resident, Ms Nono Phuthologo pleaded with the minister to advocate for youth plots in Mabutsane where they could operate their government funded projects since rentals were exorbitant and not healthy for their businesses. ENDS