23 Mar 2017

Open spaces allocated to Gaborone City together with other open spaces in the city are open for development and management in partnership with either the community or the private sector for the benefit of the community.

This was said by the Assistant Minister of Land Management, Water and Sanitation Services, Mr Itumeleng Moipisi when responding to a question from the MP for Gaborone North, Mr Haskins Nkaigwa.

Mr Moipisi said lots 56018, 56147, 54409, 56273, 56086, 56128 and 55841 in Gaborone were open spaces, owned by government except Lot 54409, which was registered under Gaborone City Council.

“This plot, unlike others is not within the locality next to Motswedi Junior Secondary school, but is situated in the Gaborone Central Business District (CBD),” he said.

Furthermore, he stated that Plot 54409 Gaborone is the only one which has been allocated to Gaborone City Council by the minister in 2005.

Lot 54409, he noted was not advertised but was allocated through direct allocation to Gaborone City Council ,while the other plots have not been allocated and still belong to government.

In addition, he said individual open spaces are not fenced, rather ‘what is fenced is a block of residential plots within which the open spaces are located to protect the area from dumping.’

Gaborone North legislator had asked the minister to state the owners of plots 56018, 56147, 54409, 56273, 56086, 56128 and 55841 next to Motswedi Junior Secondary School, Botlhale Primary School, Tapologo Estates and Ledumang Senior Secondary School.

MP Nkaigwa also wanted the minister to state how the open spaces which had been there for 30 years were allocated, where they were advertised and how many stakeholders participated.

The minister was also to state if he was aware that open spaces were for plot allocation to Batswana, if so what changed the initial plan.

MP Nkaigwa also requested the minister to state who initially fenced the open spaces, and with whose authority, as it has been fenced for over 30 years. ENDS