15 Mar 2018

Minister of Land Management, Water and Sanitation Services, Mr Prince Maele says he is aware of topical issues of water and land in the country.

Responding to MPs’ contributions to the 2018/2019 ministry budget proposal on March 13, Mr Maele said he was aware of complaints of old water infrastructure that contributed to water loss which resulted in high water bills, water shortage in some major villages and settlements as well as issues of unserviced land.

“I must admit that most water reticulation pipes have surpassed their lifespan, especially in major villages,” he said.

Mr Maele also said he was aware of land shortage, intolerable long waiting lists for plot allocation especially in villages in the city peripheries, land dispute issues and poor turnaround time with regards to plot allocation.

He said the World Bank loan requested for water distribution infrastructure was not enough to cover the entire country because water infrastructure was expensive.

“Land servicing is very expensive, but I am aware that it is a requirement. We should do land servicing,” he said.

With regards to water harvesting, he said a lot should be done to encourage Batswana to harvest and conserve water, especially for agricultural purposes.

For their part, MPs decried poor the turnaround time for plot allocation even in areas where there was land. They also decried water shortage even in areas which were in the vicinity of major dams.

The MP for Boteti West, Mr Slumber Tsogwane said land and water remained close to the nation’s heart because they were basic needs hence the ministry should exercise caution when dealing with them. 

He said his constituency was running short of grazing land and also called for land servicing, especially improved sewerage systems.

Mahalapye East MP, Ms Botlogile Tshireletso said the ministry should come up with a strategy of a land bank for potential investors. She said they would create employment. She also said her constituents were thankful for the title deeds issuance introduced by the ministry.

Ghanzi North MP, Mr Noah Salakae called for a special dispensation for his constituency, saying it was enveloped by farmers who owned ranches, hence there was no land allocation for Ghanzi residents.

He said government should consider buying some of the ranches to allocate land to residents.

The MP for Mochudi West, Mr Gilbert Mangole complained that Bokaa residents, who were in the vicinity of the Bokaa Dam, were not benefitting from the dam as the village was struck by serious water shortage. He also urged  the ministry to improve land servicing in Kgatleng.

He called on the ministry to guard against the ill-treatment of underprivileged members of community at the expense of those that lease their farming land, and who were later favoured by land board members to possess their fields.

The MP for Tati West, Mr Biggie Butale called for speedy mapping exercise, noting that land allocation in his constituency was long frozen.

He further said most villages in his constituency had leaking water reticulation infrastructure because of great pressure that was costing residents high water bills.

Mogoditshane MP, Mr Sedirwa Kgoroba called for public awareness with regards to water conservation. He said his constituency was marred with complaints of high water bills. He also said it was high time Mogoditshane constituents were informed of frozen land allocation in their area because they had high expectations. 

Mmathethe/Molapowabojang MP, Dr Alfred Madigele complained that water reticulation remained a major challenge in his constituency as well as land allocation.

Letlhakeng/Lephepe MP, Mr Liakat Kablay said his constituency was endowed with land yet allocations were long stopped. He questioned the rationale used by land boards to freeze land allocation. He also called for water provision in some settlements.

Shashe West MP, Mr Fidelis Molao called for short-term measures to provide water in villages of his constituency whilst awaiting along term-solution.

The MP for Molepolole South, Dr Tlamelo Mmatli and MP for Tlokweng, Mr Masego Segokgo decried land allocation in their areas.

Dr Mmatli complained that water shortage in Molepolole had been turned into a political gimmick with some aspirants wanting to gain political mileage out of the situation. ENDS