04 Jul 2016

Bobonong Sub Land Board secretary Mr Mpho Keareng has encouraged residents to collect plot certificates once they have been allocated plots.

Speaking at a workshop following an initiative by the Ministry of Lands and Housing to register plots under the LAPCAS, he noted with concern the low  turnout of residents to register their plots.

He observed that  from January to date only a handful managed to register their plots through LAPCAS.

 It transpired at the workshop that out of 33 800 plots in Bobonong, only 3 087 plots have been registered while 187 were adjudicated.

Thus Mr Keareng said they found it fit to hold a workshop to raise awareness about plot registration and certificate collection after plots have been allocated.

The meeting was attended by Dikgosi from different villages, Village Development Committees and land-overseers.

 The main land board started implementing the LAPCAS initiative during the 2012/13 financial year at Serowe, Palapye, Mahalapye sub land boards and was later rolled out to other areas.

Mr Keareng also talked about the challenges facing the board, highlighting revenue collection where plot holders fail to pay their lease rentals thereby affecting execution of duties.

 He stated that Bobonong Sub Land Board was owed P3.4 million as of April this year, while only P57 000 was recovered.

He also expressed concern about illegal occupation of land especially farms and cemeteries.

Land registration officer, Mr Vincent Jansen urged residents to register their plots in time as they were approaching the deadline of September 30 this year, adding  that those that fail to register after the set date would pay for the expenses.

Assistant records manager, Ms Amantle Phalanyane was equally concerned with squatting which she pointed out that it hinders land allocation and development.

She further urged stakeholders to report issues of squatting to the board so that such issues can be addressed henceforth.

 The workshop participants also expressed displeasure at the rate of squatter settlements and agreed that the issue needed serious intervention. Other concerns included delays in plots allocation and issuance of certificates.

They also felt that the stipulated time frame for plots registration was short and called for extension of the closing date.

Ms Tshenolo Tshebedi of Mathathane said distance might be one of the factors that deter people from collecting certificates, as some stay at afar places. She observed that currently the board does not allow people to collect certificates for their immediate families and called for that to be reviewed.

For his part, Kgosi Mmirwa Malema commended the land board leadership for their public education on the importance of land registration.ENDS