23 May 2013

Government wants to reduce tribal land conflicts by allowing land boards to reserve quotas for natives especially in villages surrounding urban areas.

President Lt Gen. Seretse Khama Ian Khama announced the envisaged move to Otse residents today (May 23), noting that the existing Land Policy disadvantaged people from villages adjacent to Gaborone such as Tlokweng, Mogoditshane, Bokaa, Boatle and Ramotswa.

President Khama said government had realised that people, who originated from other parts of the country could own land around Gaborone while they also had plots at their places of origin, thus benefitting twice from the system while others only had one chance.

“We have changed to say that village citizens together with their children, be given a larger percentage of plots to be allocated,” he said. President Khama, whose pronouncement was met with ululations, noted that the change was cognizant of the fact that every Motswana was entitled to own plot anywhere in the country.

The proposed Land Policy changes would therefore be tabled before Parliament in its July sitting. The President’s remarks were sparked by comments from one resident, Mr Alfred Moalosi who had complained that residents of Otse were not benefiting much from land board allocations.

On other issues, Kgosi Mothusi Tsetse of Otse decried high levels of crime, especially small stock, which he said was compounded by their proximity to the borderline with South Africa. “Some of the goats have been found at Ghanzi and we do not know how they ended there,” he added.

He regretted that the increasing small stock theft was working against government’s initiatives such as LIMID, which were aimed at empowering less privileged Batswana. Hence, pleading with government to consider buying a porta cabin for the police as nine officers were sharing an office.

Furthermore, Kgosi Tsetse decried the current power cuts in the village saying they disturbed programmes at Moeding College and endangered lives at the local clinic.

However, Minister of Minerals, Energy and Water Resources, Mr Kitso Mokaila said power cuts affected the whole country and there was no special dispensation for schools and clinics. Minister Mokaila further encouraged the community to be hopeful as the country moved towards meeting its own power supply.  ENDS