04 Apr 2019

Land corruption reportedly remains the main challenge that land board officials tackle every time.

This became apparent during an anti-corruption campaign organised by Kgalagadi Land Board recently.

Kgalagadi Deputy Land Board secretary Mr Kingsley Leu said the purpose of the campaign was to sensitise the public, staff and the board members about the dangers relating to land corruption.

He said the other objective was to establish a cordial relationship with the community to promote a better team that would work together to fight land corruption as well as to develop and put into practice penalties to deal with land corruption.

He also encouraged the community members to report corruption to relevant authorities to help curb the damage it brought.

When giving the keynote address, a member of the anti-corruption unit from the Ministry of Land, Water and Sanitation, Mr Jacob Moleele stated that corruption encouraged staff members and government officials to use government properties for their personal gain.

“This kind of corruption is caused by shortage of land, so some of the people take advantage of the resources that they have to bribe the officials in order to get the land,” said Mr Moleele.

He said every individual was liable to report corruption as it affected the nation at large, urging land board officials to execute their duties responsibly and transparently.

He said factors that contributed to land corruption included among others; poor record keeping, conflict of interest and delay in plot allocations.

Mr Moleele said land boards should form anti-corruption groups and monitor the use of resources.

He also urged land board staff and board members to team up in fighting corruption. ENDS