05 Jun 2018

There were 361 squatters profiled in Letlhakane from 2015 to December 2017.

Assistant Minister of Land Management, Water and Sanitation Services, Mr Itumeleng Moipisi said 84 of them were allocated residential plots at Makolwane Metsiaela and Sekwe.

He said since 2015, 46 residential squatters had been identified in Makolwane, Buuhe (Metsiaela) and Sekwe while Tawana and Letsibogo registered 65 and 39 squatters  respectively.

He said a layout plan was being prepared by the physical planner which should be completed by September, adding that the layout would yield approximately 1 000 plots that would assist in solving the squatting problem at Letlhakane.

Mr Moipisi explained that the process followed by land authorities to deal with squatters was such that subordinate land boards identified squatters, profiled them, conducted hearings and made recommendation to the nain land board.

He said the main land board would conduct further hearings before resolving on such matters. He noted that land boards would have to consult respective district councils and dikgosi which contributed to the delay in timely addressing the problem of illegal occupation.

He said in Letlhakane some squatters were found to be from marginalised groups, saying after consultations with stakeholders, they were either regularised or allocated plots elsewhere.

The minister further noted that the situation was not improving as ongoing follow ups from January 2018 to date had indicated that there were 154 new squatters. He added that preliminary investigations indicated that some of the new squatters were children of the existing squatters.

Boteti East MP, Mr Sethomo Lelatisitswe had asked the minister on the situation of squatters in Letlhakane, and to state the number of squatters and their locations.

He also wanted the minister to further state why it took over 10 years for the issue to be resolved and whether the situation was improved. Ends