24 Jun 2019

 Land is a finite commodity and should be used wisely, senior assistant director at the Directorate on Corruption and Economic Crime (DCEC) Mr Dominic Khame has said.

Speaking during a walk in Tonota against land fraud, he said land corruption may include, among others, the use of one’s office or government office to enrich themselves. 

It may include to request, to receive or promise to give government employee gifts as an influence to disregard processes in performing duties.

Mr Khame said in regard to the land boards, corruption is mainly done through unlawful or corrupt transfers of plots and falsified letters of land allocations and fake land titles. 

He said other forms of land corruption are unlawful selling of plots by land board employees and corrupt allocation of land.

He said others included unlawful extension of plots, corrupt allocation of boreholes, ranches and ploughing fields to Land board officials. 

He said to give or receive a bribe to encourage services that are not lawful in the allocation of lands or plots, as per government regulations, is depriving the nation proper services.

Others include taking part in making decisions favourable to one party when dealing with applications from fellow employee, parents or siblings, and failing to express conflict of interest during decision process. 

He said whoever induces government employees to take favourable decisions through a promise to give gifts is also liable to same offence, repercussions and charges.Mr Khame said causes of corruption were unclear policies and guidelines, poor or no supervision and lack of leadership commitment to promoting anti-corruption value system to curb greed and dishonesty of those who want to get rich quickly.

He said effects of corruption led to misappropriation of land, denied land rights to rightful owners, loss of property/estates, deviation of resources, financial and budget implications. 

He said effects were that resources or services were enjoyed by those able to give out gifts and bribery.

Tonota deputy Sub-land Board secretary Ms Onalenna Sabokone said land was finite and must be shared equally, and urged all to acquire land legally and reserve some for future generations.

Kgosi Goitsheka Hetanang said although some people due to lack of understanding may have perceived the walk a nonstarter, the purpose and objective of the day, which was about anti-land corruption was paramount.

He said land corruption was rampant and should be dealt with accordingly. 

He said mostly it was instigated by influential and people holding high positions who never faced charges for their deeds. ENDS