31 Jan 2019

Residents of Boatlaname in the Letlhakeng/Lephephe constituency have expressed concern over the delay of allocation of residential plots in the area.

Speaking during a kgotla meeting addressed by area MP Mr Liakat Kablay, the residents said they had, for the past five years, requested a meeting with the Kweneng Land Board through Lephephe Sub-land board, over the delay of land allocation, but nothing happened.

Village Development Committee (VDC) chairperson, Mr Ditsebe Kelatlhegile alleged that the land board had been uncooperative.

He said that after failing to honour a meeting with them in 2014, the board neither provided another date nor did it explain   why it failed to honour the meeting.

Mr Kelatlhegile said churches had also been forced to worship in unallocated plots as they had not been provided with land.

One resident, a homeless Mr Ramasimo Sebibela said that he had been waiting for a plot since 2010 while 78-year-old Mr Sebibela said he lived a nomadic life between his relatives who sometimes chase him out of their homes.

“Land board allocated me a ploughing land back in 2009, and in 2017 they placed another applicant where they had prior placed me. Whenever I go to seek help from Lephephe Sub-land Board, they send me from pillar to post with no help coming through,” said the displeased Mr Ramokai Samatiki.

Responding to concerns raised, Lephephe Land Board deputy secretary, Mr Ditshebo Seabelo admitted that there was a long waiting list and also confirmed that there were applicants who had been given land that had been allocated to other people.

However, he said that they were working round the clock to deal with the long waiting list, which was delayed by the introduction of their new mapping system.

Concerning double allocation, he urged residents to always report their cases on time so that solutions were dealt with on time.

He advised parents to encourage their eligible children to apply for commercial plots and ploughing land.

Mr Seabelo promised Boatlaname residents that he would personally organise their long overdue meeting with Kweneng Land Board leadership. ENDs