08 Feb 2017

The Malete Land Board referred 31 matters to the magistrate court for cancellation of land rights for plots held under common law land grant in 2016, while 83 owners of undeveloped plots held under customary grant are at different stages of the repossession process.

Assistant Minister of Land Management, Water and Sanitation Services, Mr Itumeleng Moipisi told Parliament that the Malete Land Board conducted a hearing regarding the Masitara Foundation plot, of which it was concluded that the company be given an extension of 12 months to develop the plot during its sitting on October 12-26, 2015.

He said the extension period expired in October 2016 and that the plot was not yet developed. He said the foundation is scheduled to finalise the matter with the land board at a meeting to be held on February 23-27, this year.

Regarding the plot near Baratani Hill, Mr Moipisi said the board terminated the agreement during its sitting on June 9-16, 2009, the decision which the plot holder appealed to the land tribunal.

He said the tribunal heard and determined the matter in favour of Malete Land Board in March 2012, and that in November 2012, the board applied for cancellation of the Memorandum of Lease Agreement at the High Court and that the matter was still before the court.

MP for Ramotswa, Mr Samuel Rantuana, had asked the minister to state the progress made in the repossession of the undeveloped plots in Ramotswa especially the plot for Masitara Foundation and the abandoned college near Baratani Hill.

In response to another question, Mr Moipisi informed Parliament that the treatment plant at Boatle has been delayed by shortage of funds. He said he could not ascertain as to when the treatment plant would start operating because this was dependent on availability of funds to compete it.

He was answering a question posed by Mr Rantuana who wanted to know what was delaying the completion of the water treatment plant at Boatle and when the plant would start operating. ENDS