20 Sep 2020

Parliament has learnt that non availability of serviced land for allocation has an effect on the swelling waiting-list.

Minister of Land Management, Water and Sanitation Services, Mr Kefentse Mzwinila also told Parliament on Friday that land servicing was critical before allocation  because it had a bearing on the consistent delivery of the land resource.

He said it was desirable that all land be serviced before allocation, but noted that it had become challenging for government to service all land because of the numerous commitments which put pressure on the country’s financial resources. Mr Mzwinila said to ensure constant delivery of serviced land, basic services would be provided in villages to facilitate development of allocated land.

He also said government would continue to encourage and expand private sector participation in land servicing and delivery on all areas of the country.

“While appreciating the positive impact that allocation on unserviced land will have on the waiting lists, the inherent problems that the policy sought to address will remain eminent,” he stated.

He said some of the downsides of such allocations included disorderly development of settlements, indiscriminate solid and liquid waste disposal and increased illegal and unsafe connection of services such as electricity and water.

Furthermore, he stated that the ministry continued to avail land to citizens at no cost, considering the high cost of servicing land.

Furthermore, he said the ministry was in the process of reviewing the strategy of land servicing which focused on among other things, promotion of private sector participation in land servicing. He said the strategy would also explore the feasibility of allocating partially serviced plots and fully serviced plots in tribal land and at subsidized prices as a cost recovery measure.

He added that the allocation of land would continue with a view of servicing once funding has been sourced. Mr Mzwinila also said land allocation would continue based on the level of readiness for allocation in consultation with all stakeholders.

Takatokwane MP, Mr Friction Leuwe had asked if the ministry would consider to temporarily suspend the relevant section of the 2019 Land Policy which required the servicing of plots before allocation in selected rural areas as a matter of urgency. ENDS