11 Sep 2017

About 64 squatters of Gxhabara ward in Maun have received letters from Maun Sub Land Board instructing them to have left their places by October 6.

The Maun Sub Land Board chairperson, Mr Obusitswe Ntirelang said squatters were issued with letters on September 6 and had 30 days to appeal to the Tawana Land Board, which had authority to evict them after the month period elapsed.

Mr Ntirelang who was speaking at a kgotla meeting in Gxhabara addressed by the area Member of Parliament, Mr Konstatinos Markus pointed out that Tawana Land Board policy and the Lands Act stipulated that land self-allocations were unlawful.

He therefore said those found guilty of self-allocation were liable for eviction by the land board, a P10 000 charge or a year imprisonment term while business plots attracted a P20 000 fine or a year in prison.

Mr Ntirelang said self-allocations were a concern in the district and Tawana Land Board would take appropriate steps to address the problem.

Mr Markus encouraged residents of Gxhabara ward to heed the leadership advise.

He said communities were regularly advised against squatting but the message fell on deaf ears.

Mr Markus said he communicated with the Minister of Land Management, Water and Sanitation Services who promised to come to Maun and engage the affected and the community leadership though the minister did not state whether they would be evicted or not.

He encouraged them to write to the Tawana Land Board within the 30 days given. Area councilor also Maun Administration Authority (MAA) deputy chairperson, Mr Vepaune Moreti observed that initially, there were about 10 squatters but the number increased over the years.

Mr Moreti advised residents to avoid being misled by people eyeing political office who promised to ensure they got land rights for the self-allocated plots.

He also warned residents against selling land as that increased the problem.

Gxhabara residents appreciated Ipelegeng programme which hired about 70 but complained of lack of proper roads in the area to which the MP explained that the road pavement project was delayed because the quotations submitted for the initial tendering process were higher than funds awarded which led to MAA awarding the funds to Wenela ward.

He however said the project was back to tendering process. ENDS