09 Mar 2016

The Minister of Lands and Housing, Mr Prince Maele says six youths have benefited from land allocations with three of them being allocated commercial livestock ranches and the other three allocated small agricultural holdings plots.

He said six women have also benefited from the allocations whereby three were allocated commercial livestock ranches while the other three were allocated small agricultural holdings plots.

The Member of Parliament for Boteti East, Mr Sethomo Lelatisitswe had asked the minister to apprise Parliament on the allocation of ranches that were advertised last year under the Ngwato Main Land Board, and whether the adjudication was done and finished. He also asked how many youth and women benefited from the allocation and whether there were many appeals against the adjudication process and why.

The minister said there were three appeals against the adjudication from individuals and companies, adding that the grounds of appeal, among others, centred around not making it to the shortlist and thorough examination of the contents provided by applicants.

“Out of the 17 ranches, none was allocated to the Khwee community. I am aware that Ranch No 54 MO at Kaka was first reserved for the Khwee community in 2000 and was formally allocated to the community in 2015.

Mr Maele confirmed that no trust was allocated a farm as they had not applied, adding that there was no quota reserved for Boteti people.

Mr Lelatisitswe had also wanted to know how many ranches were allocated for people in the Rural Area Development Programme settlements such as Khwee, how many were allocated to community trusts, and if there was a quota which was reserved for Boteti people and how it was shared between Boteti East and Boteti West communities. Ends