23 Sep 2018

Government is concerned about the large number of undeveloped plots which are becoming an eyesore in Francistown.

Principal lands officer at the Department of Lands, Mr Bruce Thibelakae said this during an orientation workshop on the allocation of state land for 55 new plot owners recently.

He noted that the Ministry of Land Management, Water and Sanitation Services has mandated his department to take care of state land, which accounts for 26 per cent of land in the country.

However, he explained that it had come to their attention that most of the people who bought state land were not conversant with expectations after land allocation.

Mr Thibelakae mentioned that they assumed that after collecting offer letters people understood their responsibilities, only for them to leave their plots undeveloped for many years.

If allocated land was not developed, he said that it could either turn into crime hot spots, waste dumping sites and could also attract squatters.

The objective of the orientation workshop, he said, was to apprise those who had been allocated land on what an offer meant and also share the consequences of not developing plots within the stipulated timeframe.

The workshop, which also included stakeholders such as Water Utilities Corporation, Botswana Power Corporation, council and the Department of Surveys and Mapping, he highlighted, was meant to foster a good working relationship with those who had been allocated plots, so that they do not only become visible to them when they impose penalties.

“We want plot owners to understand their responsibilities and to make payments for allocated land within the stipulated period,” he added.

For his part, the chief state counsel at the lands department, Mr Ofentse Sebego informed the new plot owners that non-payment and non-development within the set timeframe were key factors in the withdrawal of offers because it amounted to a breach of contract.

Consequently, he informed his audience that once they had title deeds for their plots, these prescribed that they own the land for 99 years after which they could apply to renew their ownership five years before the lapse of the period.

Government, Mr Sebego explained, normally informs plot owners under state land through the public media to show interest for renewal.

However, he asserted that in the case that the principal plot owner was no longer alive, the person who inherited the plot was allowed to come forward and show interest.

On other issues, he maintained that they were aware that Water Utilities Corporation demanded title deeds from plot owners before they could connect water.

However, he said an agreement had been reached to allow plot owners to use their offer letters to apply for water connection.

In other circumstances, Mr Sebego noted that it was possible for the department to grant extensions for developments if valid reasons were advanced well in time.

However, he mentioned that every issue was considered on a case by case basis.

Presenting on the purchase offer for state land, senior state counsel, Ms Adelaide Seru explained that a contract for buying a plot from government should be clear and highlighted that the offer should be accepted within 30 days of notification.

She noted that once the offer was accepted, it meant that the person has agreed to everything written on the offer, including payments.

“This includes an undertaking that one has not been allocated state land anywhere in Botswana. A deposit of 10 per cent of the purchase price which is non-refundable is also required. However, paying a deposit doesn’t mean you own the plot, you have to finish paying the whole purchase price in two years to ward off repossession,” she explained.

On other issues, she explained that if they paid the purchase price but failed to develop within the stipulated time, they were entitled to a refund of 80 per cent of the purchase price.

Consequently, she explained that if after registering a title deed, they decided to sell the plot before 10 years, they had to pay the difference between the purchase price and the current market value.

Ms Maria Majatsie, principal lands officer, cautioned the new plot owners to be wary of corruption, especially after purchasing plots.

She advised them that payments for their plots were made at various lands offices.

However, some new plot owners wondered why the government repossessed their plots even when the purchase price had been fully paid.

They also decried the short development period of two years and said they should be allowed to build according to their preferences as it was determined by what they could afford financially.

However, officers reminded them that the offer made by the lands department was a contract which has to be fully enforced.

They were also reminded that they could not build anything they desired because the department had to comply with town planning regulations, hence the prescriptions of building plans. ENDS