20 Oct 2019

Allocating plots free of charge might not be sustainable going forward due to competing demands. 

Speaking at a consultative meeting in Gaborone recently, Minister of Land Management, Water and Sanitation Services, Mr Kefentse Mzwinila said the country would, however, continue doing so for some time. 

“We also have a situation whereby in terms of land servicing, we are quite challenged and stressed because the number of plots which are required whether it is for residential, commercial, industrial, civic or community, the demand for these plots far exceeds the available budget,” said Mr Mzwinila. 

The minister said government had numerous challenges in terms of land allocation that included provision of serviced land and zoning. 

He said provision of serviced land did not only require capital outlay from government, but also required an element of privatization. 

Mr Mzwinila said places of worship, such as churches, mosques and synagogues were categorised as civic and community land use adding that their plots should be strategically distributed in all layouts/neighbourhoods.

 In every design, the minister said, plots for civic community stakeholders were included. However, it had since been realised that they were not enough because plots were competed for by various entities including government, Non-Governmental Organisations and parastatals, said Mr Mzwinila. 

The minister said various discussions between government and various churches had taken place over the years to find ways of resolving land-related problems.ENDS