22 May 2019

A pending case before the Land Tribunal relating to suspected illegal allocations of residential land continues to haunt residents of Setsile. 

At any encounter with the Mahalapye subordinate landboard, despite the agenda stipulating any other issues relating to the authority’s mandate, the issue of the ban on allocation of land at the village always dominates the day’s discussions. 

Despite legally attaining village status in 2007, the settlement is still faced with land disputes relating to squatting.

In 2009, government, through the landboard, ceased allocation of land at the settlement, pending investigations into cases relating to illegal occupations. 

After getting village status, residents with allocations made by dikgosi were requested to submit their applications with evidence from dikgosi to support their claims and validate them with the landboard.

However, after the land authority suspected some dubious acts, the process was suspended indefinitely, and the affected parties were ordered not to develop the disputed land.

On May 20, Mahalapye sub-landboard authorities visited the settlement, with the agenda to update the residents on the changes in the legislation relating to land management.

However, the pending case, which was reported to be at the Land Tribunal, took over the agenda of the day.

Mahalapye sub-landboard chairperson, Ms Adelaide Dikgang acknowledged the residents’ emotional state, indicating that even though the pending case, that was even above the jurisdiction of her office, was not on the agenda, it was understandable for the residents to focus on the issue as it was their primary concern. 

Ms Dikgang said despite the pending case, the sub-landboard would not abandon the residents, and as such her office had seen it fit to update them on any changes relating to land issues. 

“I admit that when people have a pending issue, they are likely not to heed any other issue that is presented to them, but what I recall from our previous encounters is that all the affected individuals have an update on the case,” she added.

She advised the residents to follow up their case to get an update. She stressed that the board would never shun Setsile, as they know of its existence and they would continue updating the residents on issues relating to land. 

The residents were concerned that the case was taking long as the last residential plots allocations were made in 2009. 

Another notable concern gathered from comments by the residents was that even those who were legally allocated plots were not allowed to carry out any developments, an issue that was denied by the sub-land authorities. 

Ms Dikgang indicated that her office was not aware that residents, who were legally allocated plots, were also affected by the order.

“What I recall, is that those who were allocated plots by the land board are not affected by the development ban, the dispute affected those who claimed to have been allocated land by the dikgosi,” she said.

One of the elderly residents, Ms Motshidisi Kaorandwa said the uncertainty over Setsile had deterred even those who were legally allocated plots to carry out permanent developments. 

“I believe as long as the issue is pending, the settlement of Setsile will not be able to develop,” she said. 

Another resident, Mr Moefesia Lefoane said the future of the village was now in the hands of the land authorities.

“Some of us are deemed squatters, and so I believe the village will only find rest after finalisation of the case,” he said. ENDS