28 Jun 2018

Serowe Sub-land board chairperson, Mr Molefhe Madikwe has expressed concern about the rising number of squatters at Makolojwane and Marulamantsi wards in Serowe.

Mr Madikwe was speaking at the newly formed Central District Leadership Committee meeting that is made up of heads of government departments and parastatals in the district recently.

He noted that action would be taken against those occupying land illegally.

Mr Madikwe said the sub-land board had addressed concerned parties through kgotla meetings and informed them about the consequences of their actions.

He said the first meeting they addressed at Makolojwane had about 116 in attendance.

He said they had a list of 347 alleged squatters and still counting.

Mr Madikwe said now that they had identified the alleged squatters, they were working on profiling them to establish their backgrounds and each case would be handled on its own merit.

He however promised that they would continue working with relevant officials in addressing the issue, noting that they would also seek support and cooperation from councillors.

Tidimalo ward councillor, Mr Solomon Dikgang requested that the matter be dealt with expeditiously to prevent the situation from getting out of control.

He said the numbers were bound to rise as observed by the land board, but cautioned that the issue should be dealt with carefully since some had nowhere to go.

“Some of these people have been moved away from the farms after working there their entire lives without owing any land. They do not have families to turn to or anywhere else to go,” he said.

He requested the land board to come up with measures on how best to assist them, but also warned that there were some who were taking advantage of the situation and therefore advised the land board to be cautious. ENDS