06 Aug 2015

The Minister of Lands and Housing, Mr Prince Maele is not aware of any ploughing fields which have been repossessed at Diremogolo and Tsolamosese without consultation and compensation.

Mr Maele said he was aware that a layout to expand the industrial area in the Diremogolo area was prepared as part of the Mogoditshane, Gabane, Metsimotlhabe, Tloaneng and Mmopane Development Plan 2001-2005.

He said the layout had not been implemented, adding that consultations with affected land holders at Diremogolo were conducted in 2014, but were not finalised as some farmers were reluctant to release their land citing low compensation rates.

Mr Maele stated that the demarcation and allocation would only take place after assessment and compensation had been done.

The minister said the Tsolamosese area was mostly affected by squatting, and that the regularisation of plots was ongoing through the implementation of a layout that had been prepared for the area.

That notwithstanding, he said should any case of non-consultation and non-payment be brought to his attention, proper assessment and payment would be made.

The MP for Gabane-Mmankgodi, Maj. Gen. Pius Mokgware had asked the minister if he was aware that the Mogoditshane Sub Land Board had repossessed some fields in Diremogolo and Tsolamosese without consulting or compensating farmers and allocated plots in those fields.

 He said if it was true, what was being done as a remedy. Ends