08 Aug 2017

Some MPs who contributed to the ongoing debate on the tribal land bill have applauded the bill, describing it as progressive.

Boteti West MP and Minister for Local Government and Rural Development, Mr Slumber Tsogwane said the bill was pro-poor as it sought to address a lot of challenges that affected Botswana’s poor people.

Mr Tsogwane said the bill added value to tribal land, pointing out that it would help the poor to break free from the shackles of poverty.

He said despite having land, most people in Botswana remained poor as their pieces of land were without value.

Mr Tsogwane also called for agricultural land to be serviced like other portions of land allocated to various uses.

He argued that minimal land serving would add a lot of value to land allocated for agricultural use, saying the servicing should include the construction of fire-breaks and surveying for ground water availability.

MP Shaw Kgathi of Bobonong appealed for the harmonisation of land allocation processes with water and electricity provision services.

He said it was critical that plots be allocated where there were water and electricity provision services.

Mr Kgathi, who is also the Minister of Defence, Justice and Security called on the Ministry of Land Management, Water and Sanitation Services to undertake a study to facilitate the categorisation of land according to use, as well as to establish communities land usage requirements.

Mr Kgathi, however, decried squatting. He called on the ministry to act swiftly whenever squatters were identified to avoid issues of having to forcefully remove them through demolitions.

Though in support of the bill, the MP for Okavango, Mr Bagalatia Arone expressed discontent at the difference between what was on paper and the situation prevailing in actuality.

Mr Arone said although Botswana had good policies and laws, their implementation was in contrast with the laws.

He implored the Ministry of Land Management, Water and Sanitation Services to ensure that its employees had the same understanding with the crafters of the laws and policies that they had been mandated to execute.

Lentsweletau/Mmopane MP, Mr Vincent Seretse, who is also the Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry, also supported the bill.

He, however, cautioned against introducing hurdles that would affect the ease of doing business.

MP for Kanye South, Mr Abram Kesupile expressed concern at the delays in allocating land.

He also complained that it was improper for dikgosi to have not been afforded the opportunity to consult their merafe on the proposed amendments despite having made such a request to the minister.

For his part, Molepolole South MP, Dr Tlamelo Mmatli also complained about the request by dikgosi having not been acceded to.

He said dikgosi were the voice of their merafe, and that it was not right for their dissatisfaction to be taken lightly.

Dr Mmatli also emphasised the need for the bill to prohibit foreigners from owning land in Botswana, saying they should instead only be allowed to lease land from citizens. ENDS